

'^^-un{/-. 



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HISTORY 

OF 



HARRISON COUNTY 



MISSOURI 



BY 

GEO. W. WANAMAKER 



ILLUSTRATED 



Historical Publishing Company 

Topeka— Indianapolis 

1921 




iJi^UJ^^ 






PREFACE 



It is not an easy matter to write the history of such a county as 
Harrison. Many events had an influence in shaping its destiny. Less 
than a century ago, the territory comprising this county was a wild, 
unbroken waste, inhabited by the howling wolf, the fleet-footed deer, the 
roaming buffalo and the untutored Indian. Then came the white man, 
and all was changed, and the hum of peaceful industry is heard on every 
side. Where once the council fire blazed and the wigwams of the redman 
stood, commercial, industrial and social institutions have developed. 

Prior to 1859 there was no newspaper published in the county. The 
inhabitants prior to that date were not privileged, as are we, to read the 
weekly chronicles of the events, in their community, and in writing of that 
time, we passed beyond listening to the statements of the oldest in- 
habitants and sought information from the most reliable and authentic 
sources, and in writings of others. In preparing this history much refer- 
ence is had to articles heretofore written and published by Elder John S. 
Allen and Col. D. J. Heaston, and much information has been derived from 
contributors of today, to whom the writer is sincerely grateful. 

History is a record of human events, the personal element ever being 
present, and the history of any community or county is merely a record 
of those who have contributed to its upbuilding and advancement. The 
rank and file of the people, each performing his duty at the right time and 
place, make the history of any locality. This work, therefore, contains 
personal sketches of many who have been identified with the development 
of Harrison County. 

The men and women whose faith, courage, foresight and industry 
have made Harrison County what it is today are passing away. There- 
fore it seems but fitting, while we have yet with us some of these pioneers, 
or their descendants, that we secure from them and preserve the thrilling 
and romantic story of their adventures, struggles and achievements in the 
early days when their hearts beat young and their enthusiasm knew not 
the limitations imposed by "Father Time." Then, too, there are many 
among us whose ancestry blazed the pathway to civilization on other bor- 
ders, and these with the younger generation of Harrison county are mould- 
ing the sentiment and shaping the destiny of this splendid county. 

It is hoped that this work records a story worthy of being handed 
down to future generations for their inspiration and guidance in building 
up the rich and broad foundation laid by their fathers. 

GEO. W. WANAMAKER. 
Bethany, Mo., Sept. 1, 1921. 



INDEX 



Adams, Charles B. 845 

Adams, William W. 388 

Allen Carl 483 

Allen, W. J. 685 

Allman, F. J. 797 

Arney, George 465 

Arney, James W. 566 

Assel, OUie V. 660 

Aten, Edgar A. 444 

Axline, Arthur A 377 

Axline, Charles A. 376 

Bacon, John W. 530 

Bain, C. R. 782 

Bain, David E. 734 

Baker, Coy E. 783 

Baker, O. S. 769 

Baker, Wesley C. 742 

Baldwin, Elmer C. 677 

Baldwin, William A. 572 

Baldwin, W. C. 692 

Bales, William H. 328 

Ballard, John , 473 

Ballard, Robert M. 605 

Ballew, J. O. 764 

Barber, John 576 

Barlow, George W. 594 

Barnett, Edgar B 716 

Bartlett, Alva C. 334 

Bartlett, Ray 351 

Bartlett, William 477 

Bazan, Genevieve 844 

Beeney, H. W. 748 

Belden, Mark L. 825 

Bell, B. N. 664 

Bender, Jacob M. 461 

Berry, J. W. 482 

Bethany Steam Laundry 409 

Bishop, G. W. 802 

Black, Willis O. 449 

Blessing, Isaac H. 375 



Bloomfield, H. G. 366 

Bogue, Josiah 549 

Bolar, George W. 315 

Bolar, Willard M. 316 

Booher, John W 709 

Booth, W. J. 785 

Bonser, Alfred C. 567 

Bowman, Wesley 822 

Boyce, Daniel D. 336 

Brandom, Vincent B. 455 

Brewer, Lake 609 

Bridges, George S. 613 

Brinigar, Thomas 746 

Brinigar, W. J. 789 

Brough,. William H. 667 

Brown, Loyd N. 318 

Brown, Louden S. 458 

Brown, N. M. 793 

Brown, Orville 653 

Broyles, James L. 551 

Bryant, John B. 630 

Buis, J. G. 735 

Buntin, Porter 791 

Burris, Franklin P. 432 

Burris, George R. 562 

Burris, K. Clifford 556 

Burris, W. Clay 481 

Burton, William R. 365 

Biissell, L. H. 625 

Butler, Otis G. 523 

Butler, Ovid H. 485 

Butler Pharmacy, The 346 

Caldwell, Ira 750 

Carapman, A. B. 651 

Carter, E. Newton 581 

Carter, Charles O. 701 

Carter, Elijah A. 385 

Casebolt, Chester H. 506 

Casebolt, James W. 502 

Casidy, W. H. 624 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Castle, E. J. 499 

Chamberlin, George H. 703 

Chambers, I. R. 657 

Chambers, J. T. 650 

Chambers, W. P. 618 

Chandler, Clifford 707 

Christie, J. A. 515 

Clark, Francis M. 399 

Clark, William M 524 

Claytor, John E. 339 

Clelland, W. R. 698 

Clinkinbeard, Oscar J. 459 

Collins, G. G. 615 

Courter, W. H. 542 

Cover, J. W. 501 

Cox, Noah S. 410 

Cramer, G. D 614 

Critchfield, Ora 635 

Crossan, Lawrence M. 346 

Crouse. William 784 

Cruzan, John A. 694 

Cruzan, W. H. 589 

Cuddy, J. H. 324 

Cumming, Andrew 587 

Cummings, Vincle A. 423 

Cunniff, J. H. 604 

Curtis, Oliver W. 52G 

Dale, J. W. 796 

Dale, W. S. 803 

Dale. S. A. 420 

Dale, Willard A 718 

Davis. F. M. 717 

Davis. George M. 705 

Davis. L. M. 314 

Dearing. H. B. 723 

Dearing. W. T. 720 

Denny, W. Arthur 381 

Doherty, T. A. 437 

Donelson, C. H. 520 

Duff, T. S. 733 

Dunham, William O. 403 

Dunn, H. W. 325 

Dunn, William M. 330 

Eaton, U. G. 661 

Eherhardt, Lester C. 431 

Ebersole, W. J. 349 

Edson, Isaac A. 570 



Elliott, C. J. 809 

Endicott, Ray 539 

Endsley, Claude A. 525 

England, Mary Frances B. 467 

Evans, S. A. 329 

Everett, Frank A. 409 

Fancher, Frank 708 

Flint, A. C. 333 

Flint, Andrew J. 440 

Flint, John H. 418 

Flint, Owen Paul 441 

Fordyce. C. C. 611 

Foreman. Jacob 584 

Foster, Samuel R. 555 

Frame, John W. 693 

Frame, Robert S. 670 

Francis, C. A. 781 

Francis, Jacob J. 839 

Frank, Jesse F. 675 

French, F. D. 638 

Frisby, E. H. 843 

Funk, A. L. 356 

Gale, Robinson H. 457 

Garton, George W. 632 

Gates, J. M. 637 

German, I. A. 712 

Gibson, George W. 656 

Gibson, Jesse F 506 

Gillespie, W. H. H. 496 

Girdner. Charles 768 

Girdner. George E. 729 

Glaze, Lowell A. 773 

Glaze, Samuel H. 741 

Glaze, Samuel X. 742 

Goble, J. E. 387 

Goodrich, R. J. 770 

Grabill, John J. 807 

Grabill, Samuel W. 808 

Green, John T. 392 

Grun. Roy L. 513 

Gutridge, J. A. 681 

Haas. Stanley M. 327 

Hagerty, Benjamin S. 447 

Haines, W. D. 451 

Hallock, H. J. 612 

Hamaker, Homer 545 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Hamilton, C. D. 321 

Hamilton, S. B. 321 

Harper, J. E. 747 

Harrison, Nelson B. 494 

Harrison, Samuel I. 560 

Harvey, Ernest 313 

Haskins, E. E. 762 

Hatfield, Bank of 814 

Hawkins, Frank 481 

Hawkins, James 480 

Hefner, Lewis 497 

Helton, W. W. 559 

Hendren, A. L. 662 

Hendren, George E. 571 

Hendren, Lewis 666 

Hendren. O. C. 663 

Henton, Harry B. 372 

Hesseltine, F. J. 347 

Higdon, Pius 792 

Higgins, Thomas J. 429 

Hill, B. H. 422 

Hill, Ellis 509 

Hill, E. M. 422 

Hillyard, M. Y. 600 

Hinkle, Jonathan G. E. 343 

Hogan, Albert T. 672 

Homan, Joseph N. 557 

Hubbard, D. A. 710 

Huitt, George L 766 

Humphrey, W. C. 816 

Hunsicker, C. B. 408 

Hunt, Charles W. 460 

Hunt, Edgar 701 

Hurd, Wallace W. 749 

Hurst, Riley 608 

Jackson, J. P. 607 

Jefferies, J. T. 786 

Jeffries, Herbert L. 786 

Jincks, C. I. 777 

Johnson, R. E. 779 

Jones, A. C. 810 

Jones, F^ank 359 

Jones, Harry C. 627 

Joyce, G. K. 476 

Joyce, James H. 448 

Kelly, J. M. 355 

Kemp, E. G. 831 



Kidwell, Alvin E. . 501 

Kies, Olin 490 

Kimbrough, Vilas 484 

King, James R. 688 

King, Sr., Simon P. 719 

King, Simon R. 569 

Kinkade, James M. 400 

Kintner, Jerome A. 462 

Klesalek, Joseph 337 

Klindt, Chris E. 472 

Knott, Andrew J. 817 

Kopp, Charles A. 755 

Landes, Elden 669 

Lawrence, Charles R. 722 

Lewis, Joseph 413 

Lilly, John A. 826 

Linch, John D. 689 

Lingle, W. T. 332 

Linville, John L. 699 

Little, William W. 760 

Lowe, Jesse L. 546 

McCaul, Peter 682 

McClure, Joseph B. 582 

McCollum, W. S. 711 

McDaniel, Joseph D. 726 

McFarland, W. W. 756 

McQuery, M. M. 475 

McKiddy, W. C. 754 

McLain, D. H. 765 

McLey, Francis M. 563 

McNelly, Otto V. 708 

McNelly, R. C. 751 

Magee, J. S. 350 

Maize, Jesse E. 626 

Maize, John R. 397 

Maize, S. L. 396 

Manifold, James B. 326 

Manring, Oakley 517 

Maple, I. W. 634 

Maples, Robert E. 382 

Markey, Hugh 446 

Maroney, George C. 788 

Marrs, Lewis R. 679 

Martin, R. L. 767 

Melvin, Z. T. 820 

Miles. Thomas C. 407 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Miller, C. C. 658 

Miller, Charles A. 394 

Miller, Garland A. 534 

Miller, George R. 507 

Miller, Harry C. 717 

Miller, J. D. 757 

Miner, E. A. 633 

Miner, Edgar S. 310 

Miner, Elbert S. 599 

Miner, William A. 360 

Mitchell, E. L. 683 

Mitchell, Robert M. 335 

Mock, Marlin W. 700 

Montgomery, George T. 415 

Moore. D. P. 818 

Morgan, E. C. 358 

Morris, Carl F. 688 

Moss, John L. 652 

Mossburg, S. C. 731 

Murphy, Frank 564 

Murray, Alexander 573 

Murray, Walter 687 

Myers, George W. 590 

Nally, Harvey 727 

Nally, O. H. 428 

Neff, Joseph 561 

Nelson, George C. 493 

Neville, James M. 469 

Newton, J. V. 370 

Nickerson, George W. 337 

Nisbeth, Otho P 450 

Oram, W. H. 547 

Osborn, Welcome E. 453 

Osmon, Charles L. 842 

Oxford, M. F. 536 

Parks, Lemuel A. 380 

Parrish, James 739 

Pash, George A. 538 

Pelikan, W. 732 

Perkins, George P. 821 

Perry, William 801 

Peshek, Prank 736 

Peugh, 0. M. 647 

Phillips, Harry 799 

Platz, Charles 433 

Rosier, Jerry 780 



Powell, Blaine 813 

Powell, Earl J. 811 

Powell, George A. 758 

Premer, Frank A. 492 

Prentiss, Benjamin M. 852 

Puis, P. C. 537 

Puis, W. E. 445 

Purdun, I. D. 800 

Quinlan, M. J. 451 

Rader, Joe L. 678 

Rardin, Jr., S. D. 568 

Reed, J. O. 744 

Reeves, Ben 636 

Reeves, Porter 738 

Reilly, Hugh F. 438 

Rice, Elvis 694 

Richardson, Albert 804 

Richardson, George A. 442 

Richardson, R. P. 761 

Richter, William H. 426 

Riggs, Clyde L. 705 

Riley, W. E. 798 

Rinehart, Henry A. 823 

Robertson, C. H. 715 

Rogers, H. T. 776 

Roleke, William 317 

Rollen. Homer 545 

Ross, Archibald P. 676 

Ross, C. C. 583 

Ross, E. C. 674 

Ross, W. S. 645 

Rowhutf, Andrew J. 518 

Rowland, C. A. 395 

Rucker. Stanley 706 

Rupe, John T. 721 

Salmon, Lewis P. 527 

Schwenk, Philip 565 

Scott and Solomon 357 

Scott, Elisha A. 464 

Scott, George E. 357 

Scott, J. M. 402 

Scott, Robert D. 371 

Scott, Winifield H. 616 

Selby, George W. 344 

Selby, Joshua P. 529 

Seitz, P. W. 623 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Sellers, C. J. 621 

Sellers, George W. ^ 620 

Sharp, B. B. 805 

Sharp, John H. 690 

Sheets, S. M. 812 

Sherer, F. W. 489 

Sherer, T. B. 489 

Shroyer, Harry C. 435 

Shumard, W. H. 588 

Simpson, J. P. 601 

Skroh, Anthony 740 

Slatten, James L. 452 

Slatten, Nathan T. 532 

Slaughter, W. F. 654 

Slemmons, James B. 417 

Slinger, Joseph F. 471 

Smith, B. F. 704 

Smith, Felix G. 574 

Smith, G. E. 689 

Smith, Lewis D. 368 

Smith, Peter A. 504 

Smith, Wren 702 

Smothers, Daniel 631 

Smothers, G. T. 603 

Snell. Noah 823 

Sobotka, Charley 775 

Sobotka, Frank 771 

Solomon, A. H. 353 

Speer, R. E. 593 

Spence, S. C. 463 

Spencer, George W. 319 

Stanton, Charles H. 668 

Stockwell, Samuel B 373 

Stoner, C. A. 597 

Stoughton, E. L. 833 

Stump, H. N. 794 

Sutton, Henry G. 540 

Sweet, Frank J. 639 

Tanner, Peter 512 

Taylor, William J. 724 

Tedlock, R. B. 478 

Templeman, William T. 837 

Thomas, Harry S32 

Thomas, Marvin L. 390 

Thompson, Ira O. 533 

Thompson, J. C. 671 

Thompson, W. R. 696 

Tilley, Evert 725 



Tilley, H. M. 424 

Tilley, Oliver P. 419 

Tilley. Ray J. 421 

Todd, J. W. 713 

Todd, Walton E. 312 

Toombs, Martin V. 377 

Towns, N. O. 486 

Towns, U. A. 486 

Travis, Roy C. 680 

Treasure, B. R. 819 

Tucker, Fred 468 

Underwood, L. 685 

Utterback, J. R. S. 531 

Vandevort, Thomas C. 414 

Vandivert, A. H. 585 

Van Dyke, D. O. 554 

Van Dyke, W. M. 554 

Van Hoozer, Jesse 691 

Van Meter, Cecil E. 411 

Virden, John H. 367 

Wagoner, Charles M. 558 

Walden, William 553 

Walker, Jackson E. 836 

Walker, James M. 476 

Walker, John H. 665 

Walker, George P. 836 

Walker. William S. 834 

Wanamaker. George W. 648 

Ward, George W. 511 

Webb. J. R. 488 

Wessling, Alfred L,. . 498 

Wethered. R. D. 622 

Wethered, W. A. 684 

Wheeler, F. M. 714 

Whitaker, Isaac N. 342 

Whittig, William 752 

Wightman, Mary M 644 

Wightman, Perrin G. 644 

Wightman, Walter J. 64ft 

Wiley, O. W. 340 

Wilkinson. Levi C. 508 

Wilson, Carlisle R. "Chuck" 528 

Wilson, Dockery 552 

Wilson. Garland 352 

Wilson. Henry 592 

Wilson, James C. 320 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Wilson, Randall 544 

Williams, F. M. 443 

Williams, N. B. 436 

Williams, W. S. 619 

Winningham, J. J. 745 

Wood, Ernest L. 416 

Wood, Eva E. 416 

Wooderson, George W. 629 

Woodruff, A. F. 847 

Wright, Joseph 384 

Wyant, John B. 713 



Yates, James A. 379 

Yates, Virgil E. 579 

York, L. A. 697 

Young, Earl C. 774 

Young, Rufus R. 514 

Youngman, Charles F. 405 

Youngman, IStacy G. 393 

Youngs, John L. 456 

Zimmerlee, C. J. 695 

Zingerle, G. C. 580 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Army Transport Trucks 240 

Axline, First Lieut, Arthur A 376 

Bales, William H. 329 

Bales, Mrs. William H. 329 

Barber, John 576 

Barber, Mrs. John 576 

Bazan. Genevieve 265 

Bethany Public School 112 

Boyce, Daniel D. 336 

Burris, Franklin P. 432 

Burris, Mrs. Franklin P. 432 

Cainsville School Building 160 

Company G Leaving for the Border__ 240 

Donelson Motor Company Garage 520 

Eaglesville School Building 144 

Pair Grounds, View of 128 

Flint, Owen Paul 440 

Foreman, James H. 584 

Garton, Mr. and Mrs. George W 632 

Gibson, Walker and Mary S 656 

Gillespie, W. H. H. 496 

Ginther, Mrs. Roberta (Wilson) 321 

Green, John T. 392 

Harrison County Home 97 

Harrison, Residence of Samuel I 560 

Hawkins, Frank 480 

Hillyard, M. Y. 600 

Hunsicker, C. B 408 

Hurst Homestead, The 608 

I. O. O. F. Hall, Bethany 200 

Joyce and Family, W. W. 448 

Kinkade, J. M 400 

Kinkade, Mrs. J. M. 400 

Klindt and Family, Chris E. 472 



Miner, Edgar S. 310 

Miner, William A. 360 

New Hampton School Building 160 

Oxford, M. F. 536 

Pythian Castle, Bethany 200 

Rardin, Jr., S. D. 568 

Ridgeway Hotel 288 

Ridgeway School Building 176 

Scott and Family, Elisha A. 464 

Scott, Winifleld H. 616 

Selby, Mr. and Mrs. George W 344 

Smith and Family, Peter A. 504 

Smith, Lewis 368 

Tanner, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 512 

Tilley, H. M. 424 

Tilley, Mrs. H. M. 424 

Wanamaker, Ernest 648 

Wanamaker, George W Frontispiece 

Webb and Family, J. R. 488 

Wightman, Ada L. 640 

Wightman, W. Samuel 640 

Wilson and Axline 24& 

Wilson. Capt. Carlisle R. "Chuck"__ 528 

Wilson. First Lieut. Dockery 552 

Wilson, Garland 352 

Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 592 

Wilson, J. C. 321 

Wilson, Mrs. J. C 321 

Wilson, Maj. Randall 544 

Wood, Dr. Ernest L. 417 

Wood, Dr. Eva E. 417 

Wood, Maxine 417 

Wood and Wood Hospital 417 

World War, Leaving for the 256 

Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 384 

Youngs, John L. 456 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 

TOPOGRAPHY 

PRAIRIE— TIMBER LAND— VARIETY OP TIMBER— GRAND RIVER VALLEY— NAT- 
URAL, DRAINAGE — CREEKS— BOTTOM LAND— DRAINAGE DISTRICT— SOURCES 
OP STREAMS— NATURAL DRAINAGE OF WESTERN PART OF COUNTY- 
PRAIRIE PIRES AND THEIR EFFECT— PRAIRIE IN EASTERN PART— WEST- 
ERN PART UNDULATING— SEASONS— SOILS 97-100 



CHAPTER II 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

NATURAL ADVANTAGES — VARIETY OF SEASONS — DIVERSIFIED FARMING — 
STOCK RAISING— GRAIN PRODUCTION— ORCHARDS— CROP ROTATION— MOD- 
ERN METHODS AND CONVENIENCES — GEODOGICAI^-VARIETY OF STONE— 
SAND— CEMENT— CLAY — COAI^UNDERLYING STRATA— MINERAL WATER— 
HEILBRON SANATORIUM 101-104- 



CHAPTER III 

EXPLORATIONS 

DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD— EARLY DELUSIONS— SPANISH EXPLORERS — 
PONCE DE LEON— HERNANDO DE SOTO— CORNADO— SPANISH TREATMENT 
OP THE INDIANS — FRENCH EXPLORERS — MARQUETTE AND JOLIET — 
LASALLE— HENNEPIN— FRENCH CLAIM POSSESSION— FIRST SETTLEMENT AT 
STB. GENEVIEVE— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— FRENCH AND SPANISH RIVALRY- 
TRADERS — DE BOURGMBNT— FORT ORLEANS 105-112 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER IV 

LOUISIANA PURCHASE 

SPANISH SOVEREIGNTY— LOUISIANA PROVINCE ACQUIRED BY FRANCE — EVENTS 
LEADING TO PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA BY THE UNITED STATES— NAPO- 
LEON'S POSITION— UNITED STATES ACQUIRES LOUISIANA— TERRITORIAL 
GOVERNMENT — DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA ORGANIZED — GOVERNORS — 
CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP OF MISSOURI— INDIAN CLAIMS— CREATION OF 
HOWARD COUNTY WHICH INCLUDED TERRITORY OF HARRISON COUNTY- 
OTHER COUNTIES INCLUDED IN HOWARD COUNTY— BOUNDARIES 113-121 

CHAPTER V 

EARLY SETTLEMENT 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION— CHARACTERISTICS OF PIONEERS — HUNTERS AND 
TRAPPERS — JOSEPH ARNOLD, FIRST SETTLER — SETTLEMENTS IN 1839 — 
SETTLERS PRIOR TO 1850— ASEPH BUTLER SETTLED HERE IN 1840— JOHN 
MAIZE, UNCLE TOMMY TAYLOR, THOMAS FLINT, THOMAS TUCKER, CHARLES 
L. JENNINGS, E. M. JENNINGS. JOHN W. BROWN, WILLIAM R. ALLEN AND 
OTHERS— HIGH STANDARD OF CITIZENS.— "THE PLANTING OF THE COTTON- 
WOOD TREE" 122-128 

CHAPTER VI 

INDIAN HISTORY. 

TRADING WITH INDIANS— NEED OF AMMUNITION— AN INCIDENT — INDIANS 
FRIENDLY— ORGANIZATION OF MILITIA— OFFICERS SELECTED— "THE KILL- 
YAN WAR" 129-134 

CHAPTER VII 

THE MORMON WAR. 

MORMON EXODUS FROM NAUVOO — TRAVELED WESTWARD — STOP IN IOWA — RU- 
MORS OF THEIR INTENTIONS— UNWARRANTED EXCITEMENT AMONG SET- 
TLERS — MILITIA MOBILIZED— MARCHED AGAINST THE MORMONS — MEETING 
WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG — A BETTER UNDERSTANDING — TREATY 135-137 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER VIII 

INCIDENTS OF EARLY DAYS. 

GAME PLENTIFUI^ALSO WII.I> FRUITS AND NUTS-HUNTINO BEE TREE^BBES- 
W " AN IMPORTANT COMMODITT-HONET, BEESWAX AND ^RS-TBADINO 
POINT^HONESTT OF PIONEERS-FIRST POSTOFFICE-CHARACTER OF 
SETTI.ERS-EARI.T DAY CABINS-HUNTING WODVBS-ROBIDOUX TRADING 
POST-AN INCIDENT OF LIVING UP TO A CONTRACT 138-U 

CHAPTER IX 

LAND OPENED FOR ENTRY. 

SQUATTER^SOME TOWNSHIPS LAID OFF IN 1842-UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE 
AT P^TTSBURG-METHOD OF SURVEYING GOVERNMENT LAND-MARKING 
SURVEYS-FIRST LAND ENTERED NORTH OF TOWNSHIP 62 IN 1846- 14.-143 

CHAPTER X 

EARLY DAY CUSTOMS. 

THE PRINCIPAI. CONCERN OF THE PIONEER-IMMIGRANTS-FIRST SETTLEMENTS 
aToNO STREAMS-CLEARING A HOME SITE-BUILDING THE PIONEER LOG 
CABIN-PLAN OF CONSTRUCTION-WOMEN'S WORK^INSTINCT OF THE 
pmNEER-HOME-SOCIAL AND MORAL STATU^NEIGHBORLY SPIRIT- 
PRESENT BAY CONTRAST-THE LOG HOUSE-IMPLEMENTS... .™^^^^ 

CHAPTER XI 

PIONEER MILLS. 

CALLATIN-THE "GRITTER-'-ISAAC HAMMER'S MILL-HORSE ^OWEK 
™Tn: FOR THE GRIST..-HUNT.S MILI^WATSON'S ----^^^^^ 
MILI^DR. BUSH BUILDS A MILL-CHARLTON-'S ^^^^^^ '^^"^ZZ 
STEAM MILL AT BETHANY-A MODERN MILL-"GRITTERS" AGAIN IN^COLD 

WINTER OF 1842-43 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XII 

ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY. 

BOUNDARIES OF HARRISON COUNTY— LOCATION— CREATED IN 1845 — DESCRIBED- 
STATE LINE IN DISPUTE— SURVEYED AND MARKED— COUNTY NAMED IN 
HONOR OP HON. ALBERT G. HARRISON — A PART OF THE FOURTH CONGRES- 
SIONAL DISTRICT— FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT— COUNTY SEAT COMMISSION- 
ERS — COUNTY SEAT LOCATED— PLATTED— FIRST NAME OF COUNTY SEAT- 
LATER CHANGED — FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS SELECTED 151-153 



CHAPTER XIII 

FIRST OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 

FIRST COUNTY COURT HELD UNDER A TREE — OPENING PROCEEDINGS — ENTRIES 
IN THE RECORDS— TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES FIXED— FIRST PROBATE BUSI- 
NESS-SECOND SESSION HELD IN JUNE, 1845— JOHN S. ALLEN APPOINTED 
COUNTY SEAT COMMISSIONER— OTHER OFFICIALS APPOINTED — ROAD FUND 
— OTHER RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS — HIGHWAYS LAID OUT — SALE OF 
LOTS AUTHORIZED— BILLS ORDERED PAID— DIGGING A PUBLIC WELL— 
TAXES— FIRST OFFICERS 154-159 



CHAPTER XIV 

TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

FIRST DIVISION OF TOWNSHIPS— BUTLER, MADISON AND DALLAS THE FIRST- 
SUGAR CREEK— BETHANY — TRAIL CREEK — WASHINGTON — UNION — WHITE 
OAK — CYPRESS — CLAY — LINCOLN — GRANT — TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION — 
ELECTION— OTHER TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED TO CORRESPOND WITH CON- 
GRESSIONAL TOWNSHIPS— TOWNS AND VILLAGES— BETHANY— CAINSVILLE— 
RIDGEWAY— OILMAN CITY— NEW HAMPTON— EAGLEVILLE— MOUNT MORIAH 
— BLYTHEDALE— MELBOURNE— OTHER VILLAGES 160-166 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XV 

EARLY RECORDS. 

FIRST INSTRUMENT ON RECORD — FIRST DEED — SECOND DEED — THIRD CONVEY- 
ANCE OF REAL ESTATE— THE FIRST MORTGAGE— COLLECTOR'S BOND— LIST 
OF EARLY MARRIAGES— PETITION TO ENFORCE ACT RESTRAINING DOMES- 
TIC ANIMALS FROM RUNNING AT LARGE — THE VOTE 167-1(;9 

CHAPTER XVI 

CIRCUIT COURT AND BAR. 

FIRST CIRCUIT COURT IN 1846— FIRST ATTORNEYS LICENSED TO PRACTICE— FIRST 
BUSINESS — FIRST SUIT FILED— FIRST TRIAL— THE JURY— THE VERDICT— 
THE SECOND CASE — OTHER BUSINESS — THE GRAND JURY— FINDINGS OF 
THE JURY — INDICTMENTS — ATTORNEYS ADMITTED MARCH TERM, 1847 — 
GRAND JURORS— INDICTMENTS FOR "KILLINGS"— TRIALS— FIRST DIVORCE 
SUIT — FIRST FOREIGNER NATURALIZED — PROBATE COURT — PROCEEDINGS — 
FIRST PROBATE JUDGE— THE PIONEER LAWYER— MEMBERS OF THE HAR- 
RISON COUNTY BAR 170-176 



CHAPTER XVII 

RAILROADS. 



riRST IN THE UNITED STATES— RAILROAD BUILDING IN MISSOURI— A RAILROAD 
CONVENTION— THE RECOMMENDATION— CONGRESS PETITIONED — GOVERNOR 
EOGGS' MESSAGE— SPECULATION— LAND GRANTED BY CONGRESS— INTEREST 
IN 1850— ACTIVITY IN 1851— RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION AGITATED IN HAR- 
RISON COUNTY IN 1859 — ROADS BUILT TWENTY YEARS LATER — INFLUENCE 

OF RAILROADS— THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM — MODERN TRANSPORTATION 

177-180 



CHAPTER XVIII 

COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

PERMANENT LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT— COMMISSIONERS— NAME CHANGED — 
FIRST COURT HOUSE— CONTRACT FOR EQUIPMENT — LOCATION — SECOND 
COURT HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE— PRESENT COURT HOUSE BUILT IN 1874 
—DESCRIPTION— ITS INADEQUACY FOR PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS- 
JAILS — COUNTY HOME 181-187 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XIX 

EARLY SCHOOLS. 

THE LOG SCHOOL HOUSE— "SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOLS"— FIRST SCHOOL IN HARRISON 
COUNTY— FIRST TEACHERS — EARLY WOMEN TEACHERS— FIRST TEACHERS' 
MEETINGS— PRIVATE SCHOOLS— PROMINENT EDUCATORS— SCHOOL DIS- 
TRICTS ORGANIZED — PRESENT SCHOOLS— THE UNIT LAW— PROGRESS 

188-191 

CHAPTER XX 

PIONEER CHURCHES. 

RELIGIOUS AND MORAL TRAINING NOT NEGLECTED— EARLY RELIGIOUS SOCIE- 
TIES ORGANIZED— ELDER JOHN ALLEN— FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZATION- 
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING — BAPTIST— CHRISTIAN — METHODIST — PRESBY- 
TBRIAN— CATHOLIC— METHODIST SOUTH— UNITED BRETHREN— CHURCH OF 
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS — BOHEMIAN NATIONAL CEMETERY. 
192-198 



CHAPTER XXI 

LODGES AND SOCIETIES. 



MASONIC— ODD FELLOWS — KNIGHTS OP PYTHIAS — GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUB- 
LIC—AMERICAN LEGION— WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION— MILI- 
TARY SISTERHOOD OP THE WORLD— DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REV- 
OLUTION—OTHER LODGES AND SOCIETIES 199-210 



CHAPTER XXII 

CIVIL WAR. 



LOYALTY OF HARRISON COUNTY— MASS MEETINGS— FIRST REGIMENT ORGANIZED 
—OFFICERS— TROOPS OFF TO THE FRONT— "MERRILL'S HORSE"— OTHER 
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS — REGIMENTS — COMPANIES — OFFICERS — 
ENROLLED MISSOURI MILITIA BY GOVERNOR GAMBLE'S ORDER— COMPANIES 
AND OFFICERS 211-216 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XXIII 

THE PRESS. 

FIRST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1859-EARLY EDITORS-MEN WHO BECAME 
FAMOUS-HARRISON COUNTY PRESS-BETHANY REPUBLICAN-W. J. WIGHT- 
MAN-BETHANY BROAD-AX-OTHER NEWSPAPERS IN THE COUNTY-BETH- 
ANY CLIPPER-TRIBUTE TO EDWIN R MARTIN-COMPLETE FILES— 217-219 

CHAPTER XXIV 

QUESTION OF COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL. 

REASONS FOR LOCATING COUNTY SEAT-EFFORT TO REMOVE COUNTY SEAT IN 
1870-THE VOTE BY TOWNSHIPS-MEASURE DEFEATED-DESTRUCTION OF 
COURT HOUSE BY FIRE IN 1874-EFFORT TO REMOVE COUNTY SEAT TO 
LORRAINE-AGAIN DEFEATED-SUBMITTED AGAIN IN 1880 AND DEFEATED- 
REMOVAL TO RIDGEWAY SUBMITTED AND DEFEATED IN 1892-DEFEATED 
AGAIN IN 1912-BOND ISSUE FOR NEW COURT HOUSE DEFEATED IN 1912- 



220-223 



CHAPTER XXV 

LOCAL OPTION ELECTION. 

PETITION FOR ELECTION IN 1888-VOTE BY TOWNSHIPS-SUPREME COURT DECI- 
SION AFFECTING SALE OF INTOXICANTS-SUBMITTED AGAIN IN 1899-THE 

224-227 

VOTE " " 

CHAPTER XXVI 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLE. 

ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY G. FOURTH REGIMENT-OFFICERS-MUSTER ROLI^ 
VACANCIES FILLED-COMPANY CALLED TO MEXICAN BORDER-MOBILIZA- 
TION AT NEVADA-ENTERTAINED BY CITIZENS AT BETHANY-OFFICER&- 
PRIVATES-CHRISTMAS ON THE BORDER-OFFICERS AND PRIVATES AT 
THAT TIME-SPANISH AMERICAN WAR-COMPANY D, FOURTH UNITED 

990 236 
STATES VOLUNTEERS— OFFICERS AND MEN " 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XXVII 

WORLD WAR. 

UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR— RESPONSE OF HARRISON COUNTY— SOL- 
DIERS FROM HARRISON COUNTY— COMPANY G CALLED INTO ACTIVE SERV- 
ICE— OFFICERS— PRIVATES— THIRTY-SIX GOLD STARS— FORTY COMMIS- 
SIONED OFFICERS FROM HARRISON COUNTY— CITED FOR DISTINGUISHED 
SERVICE— IN FLANDERS FIELDS— ANSWERS— SUMMARY OF WORLD WAR. 
237-25S 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

AMERICAN RED CROSS. 



BRANCHES AND AUXILIARIES— OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES— FIRST WAR FUND 
DRIVE— MEMBERSHIP DRIVE— OFFICERS OF HARRISON COUNTY CHAPTER — 
LIFE MEMBERSHIP— HOME SERVICE SECTION— PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT 
—RED CROSS PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE— JUNIOR RED CROSS 259-266 



CHAPTER XXIX 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 



CIRCUIT JUDGES— REPRESENTATIVES — PROBATE JUDGES— CIRCUIT AND COUNTY 
CLERKS— CIRCUIT CLERKS SINCE 1864— COUNTY CLERKS SINCE 1864— COUNTY 
TREASURERS— SHERIFFS— PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS— JUDGES OF COUNTY 
COURT 267-270 



CHAPTER XXX 

REMINISCENCES. 



MRS. EMALINE ALLEN TEMPLEMAN— TRIP TO HARRISON COUNTY IN 1841— EX- 
PERIENCES EN ROUTE— SEVERAL FAMILIES IN CARAVAN— HARRISON 
COUNTY FINALLY REACHED— WELCOMED BY FRIENDS— LAND SECURED— 
THE CABIN— PRAIRIE WOLVES— EARLY SCHOOLS— HOSPITALITY— FIRST 
COUNTY COURT— FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED— A PET FAWN— PRAIRIE FIRE 
— POSTOFFICE — SPINNING WHEEL— DRAM SHOP— INDIANS— CIVIL WAR- 
MARRIAGE 271-276 



HISTORY OF HARBISON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XXXI 

REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED. 

JOHN R. MAIZE— ENTERED LAND— NEIGHBORS IN THE '40s— SPLITTING RAILS 

AND HARVESTING — HOUSE RAISING — TAXES— MARKET PRICES— MARRIED IN 

1849— FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE— HARVE TAYLOR- FIRST COURT— GRIST MILLS — 

FIRST CHURCH— FIRST CEMETERY— A NEW HOUSE 277-280 

CHAPTER XXXII 

REMINISCENNCES— CONTINUED. 

JAMES G. TUCKER — CAME HERE IN 1841— OTHERS IN THE PARTY— SETTLED 
SOUTH OF BETHANY— THE "GRITTER" AND COFFEE MILL — FIRST SCHOOL- 
INDIANS — WILD TURKEYS AND DEER— WALKING TO LIBERTY— NEATY GAR- 
TON— ATTENDING "MEETING"— HARRIS' MILL— COUNTY COURT ORGANIZED 
—A TRIP TO ST. JOSEPH— THRESHING FLOOR— VALUE OF HORSES AND OXEN. 
281-284 

CHAPTER XXXIII 

REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED 

JOHN S. ALLEN— CAME HERE BEFORE HARRISON COUNTY WAS ORGANIZED — 
SETTLED NEAR BETHANY— DELEGATE TO STATE CONVENTION IN 1861— A 
STRONG UNION MAN — ONE OF THE FIRST MASONS HERE— BUSINESS CAREER 
—RELIGIOUS WORK— TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE— PERSONAL CHARACTERIS- 
TICS 285-289 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED. 



IN THE OLD DAYS— CAINSVILLE AND VICINITY IN 1858— BY A. P. WOODRUFF OF 
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 290-309 



CHAPTER XXXV 

BIOGRAPfflCAL. 



History of Harrison County 



CHAPTER I 



TOPOGRAPHY 



PRAIRIE— TIMBER LAND— VARIETY OP TIMBER — GRAND RIVER VALLEY— NAT- 
URAL DRAINAGE — CREEKS — BOTTOM LAND — DRAINAGE DISTRICT — SOURCES 
OF STREAMS— NATURAL DRAINAGE OF WESTERN PART OF COUNTY- 
PRAIRIE FIRES AND THEIR EFFECT — PRAIRIE IN EASTERN PART— WEST- 
ERN PART UNDULATING — SEASONS — SOILS. 

Today carries on its broad shoulders the memories of yesterday, the 
service of today and the promises of tomorrow. — Glenn Holman. 

Originally about three-fourths of the land of Harrison County was 
prairie and one-fourth timber. The timber was generally along the streams 
of water, and some on hilly tracks roughened and divided by ravines. The 
kinds native to the soil were principally white oak, black oak, bun* oak, 
hickory, walnut, elm, maple, cottonwood and linn and occasionally were 
found ash, sycamore, locust, hackberry and buckeye, and in some places 
were found sugar maple. 

The trees generally were not tall, except some along the larger 
streams, but were generally low and branching. It seems that by the 
pioneers burr oak was considered the most valuable, being adapted for 
use in rail, post and framing timber. White oak was the best, soundest, 
most perfect and more lasting than any, but not so plentiful as buiT oak. 
Hickory was not general, but found in some localities, excellent fuel, but 
not a lasting timber for posts or rails, but was valued by manufacturers 
of implements. Walnut timber was quite prevalent, but in the years 1870 
to 1875 was largely bought by dealers and shipped out of the country. 
(2) 



98 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Quite recently there have been walnut buyers and shippers, the later 
growth being of suitable size. 

The early settlers, being keenly aware of the necessity, located along 
streams and near timber for their needs for building and fencing material, 
fuel at hand and for use of homemade implements were imperative, and 
likewise it was a fact that reducing the prairies to agriculture was not 
like plowing at the present day, it then usually requiring a team of several 
yoke of oxen to "break" the prairie sod. 

This county being centrally situated in the Grand River Valley the 
streams of water flowing to said river ran generally in a southerly direc- 
tion and found outlet in the Missouri River or its tributaries. On the east 
side of the county along the northern half flows the Middle Fork, or what 
is known as Thompson's fork of Grand River, which rises in Iowa, some 
fifty miles north of Missouri, and enters the county near the northeast 
;'orner and passes out of the county some twenty miles further on, but the 
meanderings of the stream flow a much greater di.stance. Into this river 
flow out of Harrison County Indian Creek, Brush Creek, Hickory Creek, 
Panther Creek, Trail Creek, Cat Creek, Fox Creek, Sugar Creek and Tomb- 
stone. Along some of these streams is found the sugar maple tree — 
particularly on Sugar Creek in Sugar Creek Township. 

West of this fork of Grand River throughout its flow in this county 
is a nearly level prairie generally knovm in former years as the "Grand 
River bottom," varying in width from half a mile to two miles, next along 
the bank of the river being a fringe of timber, the land being higher at 
the river bank than out in the bottom. This bottom has frequently over- 
flowed when the river was high, causing much damage to crops and some- 
times danger to stock. 

This region has lately been created into a drainage district under 
general law and at the present time the drain is being dug — usually 
referred to as straightening the river. The "ditch," as it is commonly 
called, begins at the river at about the north line of section 14 in Clay 
Towmship and proceeds south across Clay, Madison and Trail Creek Town- 
ships and across sections one (1), twelve (12) and thirteen (13) in Fox 
Creek Township, where it again joins the river. During this course it 
frequently crosses the river at bends, and when finished under the reclama- 
tion system of our drainage laws it will be one of the most remarkable and 
beneficial improvements ever made in the county. It will bring into 
cultivation and production one of the most fertile re.gions of the state. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 99 

Big- Creek rises in Iowa about thirty miles north of Missouri. It 
enters Harrison County some two miles west of the center and flows 
through the county in a southerly direction, passing all the way through 
the county near the center of range 28. East Big Croek also rises in Iowa 
and comes into Harrison County about three miles east of the center and 
flows through the county in a southerly direction, bearing west, forming 
junction with West or Main Big Creek half a mile west of Bethany, thence 
runs south through Bethany and Cypress Townshipr. into Davies County, 
where at Pattonsburg it empties into West Grand River about ten miles 
south of Harrison County. The main tributaries to Big Creek are Little 
Creek, Shain Creek, Pole Cat, Crabapple and Poor Tom. 

The west part of Harrison County is drained by Lot's Creek, Muddy 
Creek, Panther, Sampson and White Oak, each flowing in a southwesterly 
direction and emptying into West Grand River. 

As already stated about three-fourths of the area of the county was 
originally prairie, the timber principally located along the water courses. 
Colonel Heaston in his account of the early settlement and history of 
the county supposes that the reason the timber was confined mostly to 
the streams and lowlands adjoining was because the fires that burned 
over the prairies were checked and stopped by them, thereby saving the 
young timber and giving it a chance to grow. That sometimes the tall, 
luxuriant grass would accumulate two or three years upon the praine 
without being burned off. Then in some dry time, perhaps a windy day, 
fires would break out and sweep rapidly over the country, consuming 
everything in its course, only being stopped by some stream or want of 
inflammable matter. 

In course of time the timber being saved along the streams would 
kill out or prevent the growth of prairie grass on the shaded and sheltered 
ground and thus make the timber the more secure from prairie fires. It 
is thus the early settlers account for the fact that the upland was prin- 
cipally prairie. There seems much reason to believe this, as indeed there 
is for most deductions made by them. They were "confronted by condi- 
tions, not by theories," and they were in the habit of drawing logical 
conclusions, inflexible rules from hard facts. 

In the eastern part of the county between Grand River and Big Creek 
extends a large and nearly level prairie running through the county north 
and south. It is high, dry, rich and productive. The western part of the 
county is more undulating and in some parts better described as rolling, 



100 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and by some is pronounced not so productive, but it has been found very- 
reliable in seasons of unusual wet or dry, more so some claim than the level 
prairie, and on the whole the western part is equally beautiful and now 
as highly improved as any part of the county. 

The surface soil of the county is mostly a black loam with a clay 
subsoil. In the timber land the loam is not usually as deep as on the 
prairies and is underlaid by yellow clay of good quality for making brick 
and tiling. 



CHAPTER II 



NATURAL RESOURCES 



NATURAL ADVANTAGES — VARIETY OF SEASONS — DIVERSIFIED FARMING — 
STOCK RAISING— GRAIN PRODUCTION— ORCHARDS— CROP ROTATION— MOD- 
ERN METHODS AND CONVENIENCES— GEOLOGICAL— VARIETY OF STONE- 
SAND— CEMENT— CLAY— COAL— UNDERLYING STRATA— MINERAL WATER— 
HEILBRON SANATORIUM. 

Natural Advantages — The Garden of Eden might have been located in 
Harrison County. There is nothing that will not gi-ow within its borders 
and its fertile soil, equable climate, and beautiful natural scenery make it 
one of the most desirable portions of the globe. 

It furnishes a variety of seasons unequalled by any plot of earth of 
similar size. Weather here gives expression to a variety of moods which 
are as numerous as are the sand grains of the seashore. From the cold 
and snow and ice of winter it is but a short step to the hot, dry, torrid 
conditions oftimes experienced in August. Yet these extremes are rare 
indeed. Taking all in all, the climate of Harrison County is ideally adapted 
to the arousing in man of those desires for activity which makes the tem- 
perate zone the place of civilization's greatest progress. 

Diversified farming is practiced extensively. No one crop is counted 
on in any season. All grains, fruits and vegetables adapted to temperate 
regions have a natural habitat here. It has outdone Kentucky in the 
production of prize blue grass ; Kansas in the acre yield of wheat ; Illinois 
in the production of prize corn, and Iowa in the production of choice hogs. 

Resplendent in opportunity, Harrison County has a veritable store- 
house of wealth in her soil, and in her people — the best on earth — you 
will find a hospitality, a sympathy, an interest, that makes for a cordial 
relationship which makes life worth living. 

Harrison County is the home of many prosperous farmers and stock- 
men. The soil, climate, and topography are especially adapted to the pro- 
duction of grain, hay and stock in abundance. 



102 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Years ago when land was cheap and much uninclosed range pasture 
existed, stock raising was pursued to a greater extent than today. Many 
farmers were feeders and bunched together cattle in large bunches and 
stall feeding for the markets — these being what we now call "big cattle," 
three and one-half years old, the smaller farmer raising and selling to 
the feeders young stock and corn — another reason for feeding "big cattle." 
I have heard it urged that the cattle of that day and time would not "feed" 
until that age — also that a small farmer with only a few stall fed cattle 
could not ship alone and would be at the mercy of the buyers and shippers. 
At all events today the cattle are of a quality to feed at any age there is 
a market for young beef, and each farm.er is enabled to independently pro- 
duce grain or stock or dairy product in accordance with his inclination 
and the nature and adaptability of his land. 

The soil of the county is well adapted for raising corn, oats, wheat, 
timothy, clover, alfalfa, bluegrass and all kinds of vegetables and garden 
products of our altitude. Many farmers have excellent farm orchards, 
and there ai'e mercantile orchards in the county. The method of cultiva- 
tion has been much improved of late years. Cleaner farming, rotation of 
crops, analysis of the soil to ascertain what crop suitable and last but 
not least the young men attending agricultural colleges and adapting their 
learning to and combining it with dad's experience is enabling the land to 
return a worth while yield. In addition the improved roads, the rural mail 
delivery, the automobile and the stately residences and the commodious 
bams give to the farmer and his family a home of comfort and convenience 
and the schools and churches conveniently near make community centers 
which invite the boy to stay on the farm. 

The principal stone is of the limestone variety. Along Big Creek 
and Pole Cat Creek stone of excellent quality for building pui'poses is found 
in abundance. About 1888 a fine quality of stone Vv-as found in Bethany 
which was capable of receiving a beautiful polish, resembling marble. The 
county jail building was erected of stone procured from a quarry on Pole 
Cat Creek about two miles southeast of Bethany. This stone can be pro- 
cured in any desired size in inexhaustible quantities. They are easily 
dressed and stand exposure. The stones of the jail wall were dressed to 
weigh from one to two tons. They have been standing in those walls 
since 1862. Sand of excellent quality for plastering and cement is found 
in abundance in numerous places in the county. Good water is found in 
all parts of the county, thirty feet being an average depth. 

Coal was found to exist at Cainsville in workable quantity and a com- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 103 

nanv was organized, shafts sunk and a plant well equipped was established 
[hat produced son.; 800 or 900 tons daily, but the plant has now been 
abandoned At Melbourne a small plant exists that turns out a good 
qua^ty ofcoal. Coal has also cropped out in Trail Creek Township, 
'in 1885 enterprising citizens of Bethany and vicinity entered mto a 
contract with the Diamond Dnll Company of ^^-^0 to ^o- for coal^m 
the vicinity of the town. The drill company was to bo e 500 fee d^ep 
unless coal in satisfactory quantity was sooner discovered. The hole was 
o be thre inches in diameter and a core was to be taken out and preserved 
one and one-fourth inches in diameter. The boring was done m the bottom 
on th^ east bank of Big Creek about one mile west of Bethany. The Heil- 
b^n Sanitarium now stands on the height about one-eighth o a mile east 
of the boring The following is a record of the borirg kept at that time . 

No. Character Thickness Depth 21 Limestone J^S-S!J|- 

1 Earth and clay _--45 ft. 22 Slate 30 ft. 341 ft. 

2 Hard gray limestone 11 ft. 56 ft. 23 Coal iff'^TOft 

3 Dark slate 8 ft. 64 ft. 24 Slate __- ^9 ft. 370 ft. 

4 Limestone —12 ft. 76 ft. 25 Coal 15 in. 

5 Dark slate 5 ft. 81ft. 26 Slate _ ??"•'?! ' 

6 Gray limestone —17 ft. 98 ft. 27 Sand shale \l^^;f^,^: 

7 Sand shale ___81 ft. 179 ft. 28 Slate 27 ft. 441 tt. 

8 Limestone 5 ft. 184 ft. 29 Sand shale .J^^^Jf*/ 

9 Soapstone 4 ft. 188 ft. 30 Black slate ^^"-l^l"' 

10 Sand shale ___32ft. 220 ft. 31 Blue clay 3 ft. 464 tt. 

11 Slate shale 18 ft. 238 ft. 32 Gray slate f.J-lfoft 

12 Black slate 1 ft. 239 ft. 33 Sand shale 3 ft. 470 tt. 

^3 Coal 9 in. 240 ft. 34 Slate (mixed) ____64 ft. 5o4 tt. 

14 Gray slate 14ft. 254 ft. 35 Dark sandstone __ 2ft. 536ft 

15 Limestone 3 ft. 257 ft. 36 Black slate 16ft.o52tt. 

15 Gray slate 4 ft. 261 ft. 37 Coal 7in ^^^^^ 

16 Coal _- 4 m. 38 Clay 

17 Dark gray slate .__15 ft.276 ft. 39 Slate (mixed) — -20 "-5^4". 

18 Limestone 5 ft. 281 ft. 40 Sand shale ^^f/^^^f/ 

19 Slate 4ft. 285 ft. 41 Boulder ,^f itlft 

20 Fire clay 10 ft. 295 ft. 42 Sand shale 10 tt. 654 tt. 

From this it will be observed that in going to the depth of 654 feet 
only five small veins of coal were passed, the thickest being only fifteen 



104 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

inches and that a depth of 370 feet. It was thought this vein wasi too 
light and at too great a depth to pay for opening and working. 

In the above boring for coal at Bethany at the depth of about 200 feet 
a vein of water was struck which has continued to flow ever since. Upon 
examination this water was found to contain some valuable mineral prop- 
erties. A gas pipe was sunk through the loam and clay about forty-five 
feet to the point where rock was struck and in this manner an opening 
has been preserved, securing the continual flow of water. The flow of 
water has continued about the same as when first discovered, being about 
five gallons per minute. This boring was upon the land of Thomas 
Monson, Sr. 

In November, 1891, a coi'poration was formed named the Bethany 
Improvement Company which bought the farm of Thomas Monson, of 
369 acres, which included the land upon which the flowing well was sit- 
'jated. The incorporators were Thomas Monson, Sr., David J. Heaston, 
Daniel S. Alvord, Michael McCollum, Veazey Price, Edgar N. Cuddy, Arthur 
D. Shipley, Victor Dunn, Robert H. Wren, A. F. Woodruff, George W. 
Barlow, A. H. Vandweit and George W. Wanamaker. Monson's Addition 
and Heilbron Addition were laid out as additions to the city of Bethany 
and surveyed in lots and blocks. A principal street lunning east and west 
through this property is known as Park Avenue, eighty feet wide, the east 
end being just north of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Com- 
pany depot and at the west end stands the Heilbron Sanitarium, erected by 
this company in 1897. 

The large and beautiful fair grounds of the North Missouri District 
Fair Association with its many and substantial buildings and stock barns 
lies along Park Avenue and was carved out of these two additions. 

The Heilbron Sanatorium is a large, handsome, commodious and 
modern structure with steam heat, electric lights and a system of bath 
rooms, including Turkish baths. It is a three story building with base- 
ment story, fourteen feet wide porches and has many rooma for patients. 
The name "Heilbron" was adopted from its signification, meaning "heahng 
waters," and the sanatorium erected on the heights just east of the valley 
of the flowing well is built on the solid bed-rock. It is surrounded by 
undulating wooded hills looking down over the city of Bethany. The 
sanatorium is now and ever since its opening has been under the manage- 
ment of Dr. Jerome A. Kintner, the noted heydropathist, who also adminis- 
ters thermo-electric treatment. 



CHAPTER III 



EXPLORATIONS 



DISCOVERY OP THE NEW WORLD — EARLY DELUSIONS— SPANISH EXPLORERS — 
PONCE DE LEON— HERNANDO DE SOTO — CORNADO— SPANISH TREATMENT 
OF THE INDIANS — FRENCH EXPLORERS — MARQUETTE AND JOLIET — 
LASALLE— HENNEPIN— FRENCH CLAIM POSSESSION— FIRST SETTLEMENT AT 
STE. GENEVIEVE— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— FRENCH AND SPANISH RIVALRY- 
TRADERS— DE BOURGMENT— FORT ORLEANS. 

When the new world was discovered and had wonderfully revealed 
itself to the adventurers and daring men of the Old World, the enterprise 
of Europe was startled into action. Those valiant men who had won 
laurels among the mountains of Andalusia, on the lields of Flanders, and 
on the battlefields of Albion, sought a more remote field for adventure. 
The revelation of a new world and a new race, and communication between 
the old and the new, provided a field for fertile imagination. The fact 
was as astounding to the people then as it would be to us should we learn 
that Mars is peoples and that communication could be established between 
that planet and the earth. 

The heroes of the ocean despised the range of Europe as too narrow, 
offering to their extravagant ambition nothing beyond mediocrity. Arft- 
bition, avarice, and religious zeal were strangley blended, and the heroes 
of the main sailed to the west, as if bound on a new crusade, for infinite 
wealth and renown were to reward their piety, satisfy their greed, and 
satiate their ambition. 

America was the region of romance where their heated imagination 
could indulge in the boldest delusions, where the simple ignorant native 
wore the most precious ornaments, the sands by the side of the clear 
runs of water sparkled with gold. Says the historian of the ocean, these 
adventurous heroes speedily prepared to fly by a beckoning or a whis- 
pering wheresoever they were called. They forsook certainties for the 
lure and hope of more brilliant success. 



106 HISTORY OF HAKRISON COUNTY 

To win provinces with the sword, divide the wealth of empires, to 
plunder the accumulated treasures of some ancient Indian dynasty, to 
return from a roving expedition with a crowd of enslaved captives and 
a profusion of spoils, soon became ordinary dreams. Fame, fortune, life 
and all were squandered in the visions of wealth and renown. Even if 
the issue was uncertain, success greater than the boldest imagination 
had dared was sometimes attained. 

It would be an interesting story to trace each hero across the ocean 
to the American continent, and through the three great gateways thereof, 
through which he entered the v.'ilds of the great west. The accounts of 
the explorations and exploitations into the great west read like a romance. 
The trials through which the explorers passed were enough to make the 
stoutest hearts quail and to test the endurance of men of steel. 

Juan Ponce de Leon, an old comrade of Christopher Columbus in his 
second voyage across the Atlantic, spent his youth in the military service 
of Spain, and shared in the wild exploits of predatory valor in the 
Granada. Pie was a fearless and gallant soldier. The revelation of a 
new world fired within him the spirit of youth and adventure. He was 
an old man, yet age had not tempered his love of hazardous enterprise 
to advance his fortune by conquest of kingdoms, and to retrieve a repu- 
tation not without blemish. His cheeks had been furrowed by years of 
hard service, and he believed the tale which was a tradition credited in 
Spain by those who were distinguished for intelligence of a fountain 
which possessed the virtue to renovate the life of those who drank of it 
or bathed in its healing waters. In 1513, with a squadron of three ships 
fitted out at his own expense, he landed on the coast of Florida, a few 
miles north of St. Augustine. Here he remained for many weeks, pa- 
tiently and persistently exploring and penetrating the "deep, tangled 
wildwood," searching for gold and drinking from the waters of every 
stream, brook, rivulet and spring and bathing in every fountain. The 
discoverer of Florida seeking immortality on earth, bereft of fortune and 
broken in spirit, found the sombre shadow of death in his second voyage 
in 1521. Contending with the implacable fury of the Indians, he died 
from an arrow wound received in an Indian fight. He was laid to rest 
on the island of Cuba. 

Thus began the Spanish claim to that vast territory west of the 
Mississippi, which included the Louisiana Province from the Mississippi 
west to the Rocky Mountains (including Missouri). 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 107 

Heniando De Soto, who had been with Pizarro in his conquest of 
Peru in 1533, inspired with the same hopes and ambitions as Ponce de 
Leon, and undismayed by his failure, and inspiring others with confidence 
in his plans, collected a large band of Spanish and Portuguese cavaliers. 
In 1538 his splendidly equipped six or seven hundred men, among whom 
were many gentlemen of position and wealth, set sail in nine vessels for 
the wonderful Eldorado. In addition to his men, he carried three hun- 
dred horses, a herd of swine, and some bloodhounds. It would be inter- 
esting to follow this expedition in its hazardous wanderings, but to do so 
in this sketch would be going "far afield." His route was in part through 
the country already made hostile by the cruelty and violence of the 
Spanish invader, Narvaez. On April 25, 1541, De Soto reached the banks 
of the great Mississippi, supposed to be near the Lower Chickasaw Bluffs, 
a few miles below Memphis, thus achieving for his name imm.ortality. 

Here he crossed the river and pursued his course north along its 
west bank into the region in our own State now known as New Madrid. 
So far as the historian can determine, he was the first European to set 
foot on Missouri soil, and thus he strengthened the claim to the vast 
wilds of the far west. He reached a village called Pocaha, the northern- 
most point of his expedition, and remained there forty days, sending out 
various exploring parties. The location of Pocaha cannot be identified. 

He explored to the northwest, but if he did really penetrate what 
is now the central part of the state, how far he went is but speculation. 

The country still nearer to the Missouri was said by the Indians to be 
thinly inhabited, and it abounded in bison in such numbers that maize 
could not be cultivated. We have in this story no further interest in De 
Soto's exploration and wanderings, save to say that the white man, with 
his insatiable greed, injustice, and cruel adventure, was made known to 
the red man of the far west. Because of the white man's traits, a hatred 
arose on the part of the Indians, which by succeeding outrages ripened 
in after years to a venom that cost the lives of thousands of harmless 
settlers. Other explorations followed in succession, and though the ex- 
periences would read like a romance, the scope of this work precludes 
an account, even of the wonderful exploits of Coronada about the same 
period. Upon the result of these expeditions Spain based her claims of 
the Louisiana Province, afterwards acknowledged by European precedent, 
to be justly founded. 

While De Soto pierced the wilderness from the southeast, another 



108 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

Spanish cavalcade under Francisco de Coronado, at practically the same 
time, invaded it from the southwest. 

Coronado. — The expedition consisted of three hundred Spanish ad- 
venturers, mostly mounted, thoroughly armed, richly caparisoned, and 
well provisioned. They started their march with flying colors and bound- 
less expectations. The Vice-roy of Mexico, from whence they started, 
accompanied them for two days on the march. Never had so chivalrous 
adventurers gone forth to hunt the wilderness for kingdoms. Every 
officer seemed fitted to lead an expedition wherever danger threatened 
or hope lured. More young men of the proudest families of Spain, than 
had ever before acted together in America, rallied under the banner of 
Coronado. 

An Indian slave had told wonders of the seven cities of Cibola, the 
land of buffaloes that lay at the north between the oceans and beyond 
the deserts. He represented this country as abounding m silver and 
gold beyond the wildest dreams. The Spaniards, in what was then called 
New Spain, trusting imphcitly in the truth of this story and hundreds 
of others equally mythical, burned with ambition to subdue the rich 
provinces. Several historians who were participants in this expedition 
have preserved the events of the adventurous march, and it would seem 
that with so much written evidence based on what the participants of 
the expedition saw and experienced, at least the course pursued, the routes 
followed, and the distances traveled by Coronado and his army, ought to 
be free from doubt. This, however, is far from being the case, and the 
entire matter is left largely in doubt. 

It seems to be well authenticated, however, that Coronado entered 
Missouri in the southern part, but how far north he went we do not 
know. Some have claimed, and with some reason, that he reached the 
Missouri River in the central part of the State. 

Coronado and De Soto both treated the Indians with barbarous 
cruelty. Their great hopes of limitless riches and conquered province 
became as ashes in their hands. Their men, after long marches for 
months through the wilderness, became tattered, disgi-untled and surly. 
They were burdens upon the red men whom they visited in the different 
villages, and consumed their maize. The Indians were distrustful and 
suspicious, and an inborn hatred for the white man insistently grew in 
their breasts, and was handed down by tradition with growing rancor, 
to future generations. The fabled cities of Cibola were found to be 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 109 

miserable mud huts. Indian guides lured themi from place to place 
with wonderful stories in order that the white men might be held from 
their own country. 

It is related that a heroic young Zuni brave represented that he was 
not a Zuni, but an enemy of that tribe, and belonged to the country of 
Quivera far to the north. In a glowing word picture he described his 
country and insisted that; the Spaniards visit there, in these words: 
"Come with me, O mighty chief, to my country, watered by the mighty 
river Quivera, wherein are fishes as large as the horses you ride, and upon 
whose currents float large and beautiful boats with many colored sails, 
in which rest the lords of the country at east, on downy couches and 
canopies rich with gold. Come, see our gardens of roses, where our great 
ones take their siesta under the spreading trees that pierce the very 
heavens in their towering height. There gold and silver are but as stones 
on a rocky way. Precious jewels and riches beyond the dreams of avarice, 
mighty chief, is yours for the asking. What you can take is but as a 
cup of water from the great lake. Come, mighty chief, and follow me, 
for I will guide thee to the land of riches and plenty." 

Tradition has it that Coronado, arriving near the Missouri, the Zuni 
brave said to him, "I have lied to you. I am a Zuni. I vntnessed your 
cruelties to my people, and I have brought you here. I hope you will 
perish before you reach your home. I am satisfied, and now I am ready 
to die." 

The young Zuni suffered the direst penalty, and gave his life for 
his tribe. 

Coronado remained at this point about twenty-five days. 

The French claim to the Louisiana Province was based on the dis- 
coveries of Marquette and Joliet in 1673. Marquette was of the patrician 
"Marquettes of Laon," thought to have been descendants of Celtic nobles 
whom Rome, in her wise policy, attached to her standard by leaving them 
in possession of their ancestral territory, but nominally dominated by the 
"eternal city." 

Father Marquette was twenty-nine years of age when his feet first 
touched American soil. From all the contemporary accounts of the 
expedition it is evident that Father Marquette was its leader, its very 
soul. But as an ecclesiastic he could not take command of an army, 
however small ; as an ambassador of Christ to foreign heathen nations, 
he could not act as the agent of a king of France. It was accordingly 



110 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

arranged that Sieur Joliet, a native of Canada, should command the 
expedition, and that Marquette should accompany it as its missionary. 
The choice of Joliet was a wise and happy one. 

They left the connecting strait between Lakes Michigan and Huron 
on May 17, 1673. In the language of Marquette, "We were embarking 
on a voyage the duration of which we could not foresee. Indian corn, 
vvith some dried meat, was our only provisions. With this we set out 
in two bark canoes. M. Joliet, five other men and I firmly resolved to 
do all and suffer all for a glorious enterprise." 

On June 17, 1673, they, with their attendants in two bark canoes, 
reached the upper Mississippi. They followed in their frail barks the 
swift current of the river to the mouth of the Illinois, and thence into 
the mouth of the Missouri, called by Marquette, Pekitonoui, that is. 
Muddy Water. 

Shea in his "Discovery of the Mississippi Valley," says that Petit- 
onoui, or "Muddy Water", prevailed until Marest's time (1712), when 
it was called Missouri from the name of a tribe of Indians known as 
Missouris, who inhabited the country at its mouth. More than 100 years 
after DeSoto discovered the Mississippi the claim of the French was 
founded. Until 1762 these two great nations contended for the right of 
sovereignity of the wilderness west of the Mississippi. 

The limits of this work forbid following the varying fortunes of any 
of the explorers, and reference is made to them sufficient only to show 
the claims of France and Spain to that expanse of territory of which the 
present Harrison County was a part. 

Continuing these references we must advert to La Salle. On July 
14, 1678, with Tonti, an Italian, and about thirty other men, he arrived 
in Quebec. In September, he sailed from Rochelle, France, and was 
joined by Louis Hennepin, a Franciscan friar. After leaving Frontenac, 
in November, 1678, they spent about eighteen months among the Indian 
tribes exploring the northern lakes and rivers. They experienced many 
hardships. After returning to Canada for additional supplies. La Salle, 
with about twenty Frenchmen, eighteen Indian braves and ten Indian 
women, descended the Illinois to the Mississippi, Avhich they reached 
on February 6, 1662. On April 5th, La Salle accomplished the purpose 
of his expedition, which was to discover the three mouths of the Missis- 
sippi through which its great volume of water is discharged into the Gulf 
of Mexico. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 111 

By ceremony of great pomp, La Salle took possession of the country 
in the name of Louis XIV of France, in whose honor the country was 
named Louisiana. And here on an elevation La Salle, amid the solemn 
chants of hymns of thanksgiving, planted a cross with the arms of 
France; and in the name of the French king took possession of the river, 
of all its branches, and of the territory watered by them. The notary 
drew up an authentic act, which all signed with beating hearts. A leaden 
plate upon which were the arm.s of France and the names of the dis- 
coverers, was, amid the rattle of musketry, deposited in the earth. The 
plate bore this inscription, "Louis le Grand Roi de France et de Navarre, 
Regne; le Neuvieme Auril, 1682." Standing near the planted cross. 
La Salle proclaimed with a loud voice, that in the name of the most high, 
mighty, invincible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by the grace of 
God, King of France and Navarre, fourteenth of the name, this ninth day 
of April, 1682, he took possession of the country of Louisiana, com- 
prising almost indefinite limits and including, of course, the present 
territory of Missouri. 

The colonial policy of the Spaniards was not based on theory or fancy, 
although at this period, less enlightened than the French, they had the 
advantage of larger experience. The English by reason of their indom- 
itable perseverance and fixedness of purpose had, in these respects, an 
advantage over their rivals. Yet the French, by their superior attitude 
in assimiilating with the savages, and adroitness in winning confidence, 
had a clear advantage over both. 

The only settlements at that time in what is now Missouri, were Ste. 
Genevieve and St. Louis. There were at least five settlements in what is 
now Illinois. These settlements were situated along the east bank of the 
Missouri to search for silver, and although they failed, they did a great 
of the Missouri River to the mouth of the Kaskaska. They were Kaskaskia, 
with a white population of about 400; Prairie View Rocher, with about 
fifty inhabitants; Fort Chartres, about 100; Philippe, about twenty; Ka- 
hoki, about 100, making a total of 670 whites. The negro population was 
about 300, which brings the total up to nearly 1,000. 

Early in the eighteenth century the French sent men into what is now 
Missouri to search for silver, and although they failed, they did a great 
deal of exploring in this region. Again the French settlers in Kaskaskia, 
and other Illinois settlements, which were established in the late seven- 
teenth and early eighteenth centuries, soon made their way on hunting and 



112 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

exploring expeditions up the Missouri. Naturally this activity on the part 
of the French aroused the fears of the Spanish at Santa Fe, which re- 
sulted in their fitting out an expedition in 1720 for exploration. This ex- 
pedition is popularly known as the "Great Caravan." It consisted of a 
large number of soldiers, artisans, and farmers, together with their famil- 
ies, flocks and herds. 

But Houck in his "History of Missouri", says that recent investiga- 
tions seem to make it clear that there were not more than fifty soldiers 
in the expedition, and while there may have been helpers they were not 
intending settlers. However that may be, the expedition failed com- 
pletely, owing to an attack made by hostile Indians. Only one man belong- 
ing to the ill-fated expedition escaped with his life to relate the story of 
the disaster. 

It is claimed that this attempt of the Spanish to establish a post on 
the Missouri in 1720, led directly to the founding of Fort Orleans by the 
French in 1723. 

Da Bourgmont, who previously spent some years trading with the 
Indians along the Missouri, was captain and commandant of Missouin in 
1720. The exact site of Fort Orleans cannot be definitely determined. 
It has been claimed that it is on the south bank of the Missouri near 
what is now Malta Bend in Saline County. Recently the ruins of an old 
fort, and the remains of French weapons, have been unearthed near Malta 
Bend. These finds are taken by some as evidence supporting the claim 
that Fort Orleans was on the south bank of the Missouri at that point. 



CHAPTER IV 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE 



SPANISH SOVEREIGNTY— LOUISIANA PROVINCE ACQUIRED BY FRANCE— EVENTS 
LEADING TO PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA BY THE UNITED STATES— NAPO- 
LEON'S POSITION— UNITED STATES ACQUIRES LOUISIANA— TERRITORIAL 
GOVERNMENT — DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA ORGANIZED — GOVERNORS — 
CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP OP MISSOURI— INDIAN CLAIMS— CREATION OF 
HOWARD COUNTY WHICH INCLUDED TERRITORY OF HARRISON COUNTY- 
OTHER COUNTIES INCLUDED IN HOWARD COUNTY— BOUNDARIES. 

From 1763 to 1800, Spain held undisputed sovereignty over the Louis- 
iana province. In 1800, Europe was a seething caldron of contention and 
diplomacy. There were wars and rumors of wars. Napoleon Bonaparte 
was at the zenith of his glory. With the iron hand of power, guided by a 
wily diplomatic policy, and jealous of the growing sovereignty of Spain 
and England in the New World, Napoleon forced Spain into the treaty of 
Ildefonso, October 1, 1800, by which she ceded to France all the territory 
known as Louisiana, west of the Mississippi in consideration that the son- 
in-law to the King of Spain should be established in Tuscany. 

This treaty took its name from the celebrated palace of St. Ildefonso 
which was the retreat of Charles V of Spain when he abdicated his throne 
in favor of his son. It was situated about forty miles north of Madrid 
in an elevated ravine in the mountains of Gaudarruma. 

Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803, forseeing that Russia, in conjunction 
with Austria and England, was preparing to send dovni her Muscovite 
legions into France, realized that he could not hold his possessions in 
America and determined to dispose of them to the disadvantage of England. 
The treaty of Ildefonso, in 1800, whereby Spain ceded to France all of the 
Louisiana Province, had been kept a profound secret until 1803. Thomas 
Jefferson, then president of the United States, was informed of the 
contents of this treaty. He at once dispatched instructions to Robert 
Livingston, the American minister to Paris, to make known to Napoleon 
(3) 



114 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

that the occupation of New Orleans by the French government would 
bring about a conflict of interest between the two nations, which would 
finally culminate in an open rupture. He urged Mr. Livingston not only 
to in.sist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to negotiate for 
the purchase of the city and the surrounding country, and to inform the 
French government that the occupancy of New Orleans might oblige 
the United States to make common cause with England, France's bitterest 
and most dreaded enemy. 

Mr. Jefferson, in so grave a matter, appointed Mr. Monroe, with full 
power to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston in the negotiations. Before 
taking final action in the matter, Napoleon summoned his ministei-s and 
addressed them as follows: "I am fully aware of the value of Louisiana, 
and it was my wish to repair the error of the French diplomats who 
abondoned it in 1763. I have scarcely recovered it before I run the risk 
of losing it; but if I am obliged to give it up, it shall hereafter cost more 
to those who force me to part with it, than to whom I sell it. The English 
have despoiled France of all her northern possessions in America, and now 
they covet those of the south. I am determined that they shall not have 
the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle compared to their 
vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the vexa- 
tion they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of France, I 
am certain that their first object will be to gain possession of it. They 
will probably commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty 
vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and our afi'airs in St. Domingo are getting 
worse since the death of LeClerc. The conquest of Louisiana might be 
easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting out of their reach. 
I am not sure but that they have already begun an attack upon it. Such 
a measure would be in accordance with their habits ; and, if I were in their 
place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order to deprive them of all 
prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. Indeed, I 
can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet possess it ; and if I wait but 
a short time, my enemies may leave me nothing but an empty title to 
grant to the Republic I wish to conciliate. I consider the whole colony 
as lost, and I believe that in the hands of this rising power it will be more 
useful to the political and even commercial interests of France than if I 
should attempt to retain it. Let me have both your opinions on the 
subject." 

One of Napoleon's ministers agreed with him, and the other dis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 115 

sented. Ever quick to think and to act, the next day he sent for the 
minister who agreed with him, and thus expressed himself: 

"The season for dehberation is over. I have determined to renounce 
Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, 
without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, I have suffici- 
ently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to recover 
it. But though I regret parting with it, I am convinced that it would be 
folly to try to keep it. I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this 
affair with the envoys of the United States. Do not await the arrival of 
Mr. Monroe, but go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. 
Remember, however, that I need ample funds for carrying on the war, 
and I do not wish to commence it by levying new taxes. For the last 
centuiy France and Spain have incurred great expense in the improve- 
ment of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified them. Large 
sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never been 
returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for 
these. Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of the terri- 
tory to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged to 
part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must 
have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take less. 1 would 
rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine country." 

The negotiations were completed satisfactorily to both parties to the 
contract. Mr. Livingston said, "I consider that from this day the United 
States takes rank with the first powers of Europe, and now she is entirely 
escaped from the power of England." 

Napoleon Bonaparte, seemingly as well pleased said, "By this cession 
of territory, I have secured the power of the United States, and given to 
England a rival, who in some future time will humble her pride." How 
prophetic were the words of Napoleon. Not many years after in the 
very territory of which the great Corsican had been speaking the British 
met their signal defeat by the prowess and arms of the Americans. 

On December 20, 1803, the Stars and Stripes supplanted the tri-colored 
flag of France at New Orleans. March 10, 1804, again the glorious banner 
of our country waved at St. Louis, from which day the authority of the 
United States in Missouri dates. 

The great Mississippi, along whose banks the Americans had planted 
their towns and villages, now aflforded them a safe and easy outlet to the 
markets of the world. 



116 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

In the month of April, 1804, Congress, by an act, divided Louisiana 
into two parts, the territory of Orleans, and the district of Louisiana, 
known as Upper Louisiana. Upper Louisiana embraced the present state 
of Missouri, all the western region of country to the Pacific Ocean, and all 
below the forty-ninth degree of north latitude not claimed by Spain. 

On March 26, 1804, Missouri was placed within the jurisdiction of the 
government of the territory of Indiana, and its government put in motion 
by General William H. Harrison, then governor of Indiana, afterwards 
president of the United States. In this he was assisted by Judges Jacob 
Vandenburg and Davis, who established in St. Louis what was called 
Courts of Common Pleas. 

On March 3, 1805, the District of Louisiana was organized by Con- 
gress into the territory of Louisiana, and President Jefferson appointed 
General James Wilkinson, Governor; and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The 
Legislature of the territory was formed by Governor Wilkinson, Judges 
E. J. Meiger and John B. C. Lucas. 

In 1807, Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Merriweather 
Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expedi- 
tion up the Missouri with Clark. Governor Lewis committed suicide in 
1809, under very peculiar and suspicious circumstances, and the President 
appointed General Benjamin Howard, of Lexington, Kentucky, to fill his 
place. 

Governor Howard resigned October 25, 1810, to enter the War of 1812, 
and died in St. Louis in 1814. 

Captain William Clark, of Lewis and Clark's expedition, was appointed 
governor in 1810, to succeed General Howard; he remained in office until 
the admission of the State into the Union in 1821. 

For purposes of purely local government, the settled portion of Mis- 
souri was divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau was the first, and 
embraced the territory between Pywappipy Mottom and Apple Creek ; Ste. 
Genevieve, the second, embraced the territory of Apple Creek to the Merri- 
mac River; St. Louis, the third, embraced the territory between the 
Merrimac and the Missouri; St. Charles, the fourth, included the settled 
territory between the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers. The total 
population of these districts at that time, including slaves, was 8,670. 
The population of the district of Louisiana when ceded to the United 
States was 10,120. 

The soil of Missouri has been claimed or owned as follows : First, from 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 117 

the middle of the sixteenth century to 1763, by both France and Spain. 
Second, in 1763, it was ceded to Spain by France. Third, in 1800, it was 
ceded from Spain back to France. Fourth, April 30, 1803, it, with other 
territory, was ceded by Fra)ice to the United States. Fifth, October 31, 
1803, a temporary government was authorized by Congress for the newly 
acquired territory. Sixth, October, 1804, it was included in the "District 
of Louisiana," then organized with a separate territorial government. 
Eighth, June 4, 1812, it was embraced in what was then made the "Terri- 
tory of Missouri." Ninth, August 10, 1821, admitted into the Union as a 
state. 

When France, in 1803, vested the title to this vast territory in the 
United States, it was subject to the claims of the Indians. This claim 
our government justly recognized. Therefore, before the government of 
the United States could vest clear title to the soil in the grantees, it was 
necessary to extinguish title by purchase. This was accordingly done by 
treaties made with the Indians at various times. 

When Missouri was admitted as a territory in 1812 by James Madison, 
it embraced what is now the state of Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, 
west of the Mississippi, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, 
Montana, and most of Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming. It has therefore 
been truly said that Missouri is the mother of all the great west. 

When the territory of Missouri was established in 1812, the eastern 
portion of the state was at once organized into counties, and the territorial 
law, by means of territorial courts, was extended over them. It will be 
remembered that from 1804 until October 1, 1812, the territory of Mis- 
souri was divided into four districts. At that date, in accordance with an 
act of Congress, requiring him so to do, Governor Clark issued a proclama- 
tion, reorganizing the four districts into the five following counties: St. 
Charles, St. Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid. In 
1813 the county of Washington was created from a part of St. Genevieve. 
In 1814, the county of Arkansas was formed, and during the winter of 
1814, and 1815, the county of Lawrence was organized from the western 
portion of New Madrid. 

Under an act of the General Assembly of the Territory of Missouri, 
approved January 13, 1816, the county of Howard was created, being the 
ninth organized county of the territory, and was taken out of the counties 
of St. Louis and St. Charles. It included among other counties what is 
now Harrison County. Its territory was more than one-third of the 



118 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

present state of Missouri. It was almost an empire, presenting an area 
of nearly 23,000 square miles. It was larger than Vermont, Massachusetts, 
Delaware and Rhode Island. Missouri at that time had not been admitted 
into the sisterhood of states. From its territory have since been organized 
the following counties : 

Adair, organized January 29, 1841. Called after General John Adair, 
of Mercer County, Kentucky, who was elected governor of that State in 
1820 and died May 19, 1840. 

Audrain, organized December 17, 1836. Called for James S. Audrain, 
who was a representative from St. Charles in the Missouri Legislature in 
1830, and who died in St. Charles, November 10, 1831. 

Bates (part), organized January 29, 1841. Called for Frederick 
Bates, second governor of the State, who died August 4, 1825, before the 
expiration of his term. Lieutenant-Governor W. H. Ashley, having re- 
signed, Abraham J. Williams, of Columbia, president of the Senate, became 
Governor until the special election in September, same year, when John 
Miller was elected. Williams died December 30, 1839, and an old fashioned 
box-shaped limestone monument marks his grave in Columbia Cemetery. 

Benton (north part), organized January 3, 1835. Called for Thomas 
H. Benton, United States Senator, 1820-1850. Died April 10, 1858. 

Boone, orgaoiized November 16, 1820. Named for the old pioneer and 
Indian fighter, Daniel Boone. Died in St. Charles County September 26, 
1820. 

Caldwell, organized December 26, 1836. Called for Captain Matthew 
Caldwell, commander of Indian scouts and a hunter of Kentucky. Joseph 
Doniphan, father of General A. W. Doniphan, belonged to his company. 
General Doniphan was chiefly instrumental in having the county named 
in honor of his father's old comrade. 

Camden (part), first named Kinderhook, after the home of Martin Van 
Buren, organized January 29, 1841. On February 23, 1843, name changed 
to Camden, in honor of Charles Pratt Camden, an English statesman who 
was a warm advocate of the American colonies. 

Carroll, organized January 3, 1833. Called for Charles Carroll, of 
Carrollton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Died 
November 14, 1832. 

Cass, organized September 14, 1835. First called Van Buren ; changed 
to Cass February 19, 1849, in honor of Lewis Cass, United States Senator 
from Michigan. Died June 17, 1866. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 119 

Chariton, organized November 16, 1820. John Chariton was the name 
of a leader of the French fur-traders who at an early day located on the 
Missouri River at tiie mouth oi' the creek wiiich was ever afterwards called 
Chariton. Hence the name of the creek and county. 

Clay, organized January 2, 1822. Called for Henry Clay, of Kentucky. 
Died June 29, 1852. 

Chnton, organized January 15, 1833. Called for Governor DeWitt 
Clinton, of New York. Died February 11, 1828. 

Cole, organized November 16, 1820. Called for Captain Stephen Cole, 
an old settlei% who built "Cole's Fort," near Boonville. 

Cooper, organized December 17, 1818. Called for Sarshel Cooper, 
who was killed by an Indian m Cooper's Fort opposite Arrow Rock and near 
the present village of Booiisboro, Howard County, on the night of April 
14, 1814. 

Daviess, organized December 29, 1836. Called for Colonel Joe Hamil- 
ton Daviess, of Keintucky. Killed in the battle of Tippecanoe, November 
7, 1811. 

De Kalb, organized February 25, 1845. Called for Baron John De 
Kalb, a Frenchman of Revolutionary fame, who was killed in the battle 
of Camden in 1780. 

Gentry, organized February 12, 1841. Called for General Richard 
Gentry, of Columbia, who v\'as killed in the battle of Okeechobee, Florida, 
December 25, 1837. 

Grundy, organized January 2, 1843. Called for Felix Grundy, United 
States Senator of Tennessee. Died Decem.ber 19, 1840. 

Harrison, organized February 14, 1845. Called for Albert G. Harrison, 
of Fulton, Missouri, m.ember of Congress from 1835 to 1839. Died Septem- 
ber 7, 1839. 

Henry, first named Rives in honor of V/illiam C. Rives, of Virginia, 
organized December 13, 1834. Changed to Henry in honor of Patrick 
Henry, who died June 6, 1799. 

Jackson, organized December 15, 1826. Named in honor of Andrew 
Jackson. Died June 8, 1845. 

Johnson, organized December 13, 1834. Called for Richard M. John- 
son, of Kentucky. Died of apoplexy, November 19, 1850. 

Lafayette, first called Lillard and organized November 16, 1820, after 
James Lillard, an old citizen. Changed to Lafayette, February 16, 1825, 
who died at Paris, May 20, 1834. 



120 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Linn, organized January 7, 1837. Called for Lewis F. Linn, United 
States Senator from Missouri, 1830-1843, who died at St. Genevieve, 
October 3, 1843. 

Livingston, organized January 6, 1837. Called for Edward Livings- 
ton, Secretary of State under President Jackson. Died May 23, 1836. 

Macon, organized January 6, 1837. Named in honor of Natnaniel 
Macon, of North Carolina, of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Congresses 
and United States Senator in the Ninteenth and Twentieth. Died June 
29, 1837. 

Mercer, organized February 14, 1845. Called for Johji F. Mercer, a 
soldier of the Revolution from Maryland. Died August 30, 1821. 

Miller (north part), organized February 26, 1837. Called for Governor 
John Miller, of Missouri; was Governor from 1825 to 1832. Died March 
18, 1846. 

Moniteau, organized February 14, 1845. An Indian name, and doubt- 
less a corruption of Manito, an Indian name for Deity or Great Spirit. 

Monroe (part), organized January 6, 1831. Called for James Monroe, 
President. Died July 4, 1831. 

Morgan, organized January 5, 1833. Called for General Daniel Morgan, 
of the Revolution, who displayed great bravery at the battle of the Cow- 
pens in the defeat of Tarlton and died in 1802. 

Pettis, organized January 26, 1833. Called for Spencer Pettis, mem- 
ber of Congress from St. Louis from 1829 to 1831, who was killed in a duel 
by Major Thomas Biddle, August 27, 1831, aged 29 years. 

Putnam, organized February 28, 1845. Called for General Israel 
Putnam, of Bunker Hill fame, 1775. Died, 1790. 

Randolph, organized January 22, 1829. Called for John Randolph, 
of Roanoke, Va. Died May 24, 1833. 

Ray, oi-ganized November 16, 1820. Called for John Ray, a member of 
the constitutional convention of 1820 from Howard County. 

St. Clair (north part), organized January 29, 1841. Called for General 
Arthur St. Clair, of the Revolution. 

Saline, organized November 25, 1820. Named because of its salt 
springs. 

Shelby (part), organized January 2, 1835. Called for Governor Isaac 
Shelby, of Kentucky. Died July 18, 1826. 

Sullivan, organized February 16, 1845. Called for James Sullivan, of 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 121 

Revolutionary fame, a member of the Continental Congress of 1782. Died 
December 10, 1808. 

Worth, organized February 8, 1861. Called for General William J. 
Worth, of the Florida and Mexican Wars. Died at San Antonio, Texas, 
May 7, 1849. 

Also the following counties in Iowa: Parts of Taylor and Adams, 
Union, Ringgold, Clarke, Decatur and Wayne, and probably parts of Lucas, 
Monroe and Appanoose. 

Its boundaries were established as follows: Beginning at the mouth 
of the Osage River, which is about ten miles below the city of Jefferson 
and opposite the village of Barkersville in Callaway County, the bound- 
ary pursued the circuitous course of said stream to the Osage boundary 
line, meaning thereby the eastern boundary of the Osage Indian Territory, 
or to the northeast comer of Vernon County, where the Osage River, two 
miles east of the present town of Shell City, runs near said corner ; thence 
north (along the western line of St. Clair, Henry, Johnson and Lafayette 
counties), to the Missouri River, striking that sti'eam west of and very 
near Napoleon, thence up said river to the mouth of the Kansas River 
(where Kansas City is now located), thence with the Indian boundary 
line (as described in the proclamation of Governor William Clark issued 
March 9, 1815), northwardly along the eastern boundary of the "Platte 
purchase" 140 miles, or to a point about thirty-six miles north and within 
the present county of Adams, in the state of Iowa, near the town of Corn- 
ing in said county, on the Burlington and Missouri River railroad; thence 
eastward with the said line to the main dividing ridge of high ground, to 
the main fork of the River Cedar (which is the line between Boone and 
Callaway counties in Missouri) ; thence down said river to the Missouri ; 
thence down the River Missouri and in the middle of the main channel 
thereof, to the mouth of the Great Osage River, the place of beginning. 



CHAPTER V 



EARLY SETTLExMENT 



SOURCES OF INFORMATION— CHARACTERISTICS OF PIONEERS— HUNTERS AND 
TRAPPERS— JOSEPH ARNOLD, FIRST SETTLER— SETTLEMENTS IN 1839— 
SETTLERS PRIOR TO 1850 — ASEPH BUTLER SETTLED HERE IN 1840— JOHN 
MAIZE, UNCLE TOMMY TAYLOR, THOMAS FLINT, THOMAS TUCKER. CHARLES 
L. JENNINGS, E. M. JENNINGS, JOHN W. DROWN, AVILLIAM R. ALLEN AND 
OTHERS— HIGH STANDARD OF CITIZENS.— "THE PLANTING OF THE COTTON- 
WOOD TREE." 

Prior to 1859 there was no newspaper published in the county. The 
inhabitants prior to that date were not privileged as are we to read the 
weekly chronicles of the events in their community, and in writing of that 
time, we now having passed beyond listening to the statements of the old- 
est inhabitants we must seek information fi'om the most reliable and 
authentic sources and in writing of others. In preparing this article much 
reference is had to articles heretofore written and published by Elder John 
S. Allen a^nd Colonel D. J. Heatton, and much information has been derived 
from contributors of today. 

Tliis county, as was usually the case in all new countries, was settled 
by people who set out to establish, on new and cheap land, homes and 
communities for themselve.3 and their families. They were people with- 
out much means, generally, who had courage and energy, determination 
and endurance, and who were capable of economy and patience. They were 
self-reliant and coming as they did with the purposes they did, were a 
people of farmers and honesty. Among them there was no place for 
a lazy man, a dude or a thief. 

Of course before the first settlements were made the country had 
been explored and traversed by hunters and trappers. These had given 
names to many of the creeks and groves. For instamce it is said that 
a camp of hunters on a creek a few miles southeast of Bethany from the 
number of skunks they found there, named the creek Pole-Cat, a name 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 123 

it bears to this day. Big- Creek was named by settlers near its mouth 
where it flows into Grand River. Shane Creek was named after Thomas 
Shane, one of the first settlers upon its bamks. And Sugar Creek was 
named from the unusual fact that along its course were found many 
hard maples from which sugar is made and to this day there are land- 
owners in that region who have preserved their sugar groves. 

The time or place of the first settlement in the county is not definitely 
known. Joseph Arnold, who until his death some years ago lived about 
three miles south of Bethany, is accredited with being one of the first 
settlers and he stated that in the spring of 1838 his father and Levi Hunt 
settled on the west bank of Big Creek about five miles south of Bethany. 
That they found there when they came John Fields living a little lower 
down the creek on its east bank. That he had a little log hut and a small 
field enclosed and in cultivation. In the year 1838 William Mitchell, Jacob 
Mitchell and others settled on Sugar Creek in the southeast part of the 
county. 

During that year and 1839 several families settled in the county at 
different points and the neighborhoods were known by the names of some 
of the more prominent of the first settlers. There were such neighbor- 
hoods as Dunkerson's Grove, Taylor's Grove, Harris' Mill, Foster's Farm, 
Allen's Big Spring, and like designations were common about the country 
by which different localities became well known among the people, and as 
commonly referred to as are nov/ the towns and villages. 

In the history of Harrison County, published in 1888 and edited by 
the late Colonel D. J; Heaston, of Bethany, we learn that efforts had beei?' 
made to obtain the names of the actual settlers prior to 1850 and to ar- 
range them by neighborhoods, but it was found impossible ; but the follow- 
ing list then taken from public records and interviews then had with 
pioneers was pubhshed therein alphabetically: 

John S. Allen, Stephen C. Allen, William R. Allen, Abel W. Allen, 
Josiah Allen, Thomas Allen, William Allen, Samuel Alley, Sampson Alley. 
Benjamin Ashby, John J. Arnold, Joseph Arnold, Thomas Arnold, Benjamin 
Archer, William C. Atkinson, C. B. Adkins, Calloway Allen. 

David Buck, Henderson Buck, Bethuel Buck, John W. Brown, James 
Brown, John A. Brown, Aseph Butler. John Bedford, Jacob A. Brown, 
Thomas Brown, William S. Brown, William E. Burris, Aaron Bales, John 
Brooks, James Blakely, Jonathan Booth, Robert Bullington, Howell Blake- 
ter, Benjamin S. Burns, Noah Bender, Jonathan Bender, William, H. 



124 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Bender, Daniel Bartlett, Joseph Bartlett, Wilburn Blankenship, Simpson 
W. Burgin, Dennis Burgin, Boone Ballard, Solomon Burson, Christopher 
Blessing, James Bi-ady, Isaac Brady, Alexander C. Brady, E. J. Bondurant, 
Isaac Brown, B. A. Brown, Aaron Bridges, Allen Bridges, James Bridges, 
Adam Brown, E. T. Baldwin, Ed Baldwin, William Ballew, Elisha W. 
Benton, E. H. Brady, James G. Broughton, James B. Bell, William Barber, 
Austin Bryant, Stephen Bryant. 

John Conduit, William Chambers, C. W. H. Cox, A. M. Cox, Fleming 
Cox, John W. Casebolt, Harrison Casebolt, Dennis Clancey, Lewis Charlton, 
Arthur Charlton, John Charlton, John Y. Creswell, William Clopton, Wil- 
liam Cumming, Luther T. Collier, Lott Cain, William Crawford, W. W. 
Collins, John Cutshall, Eli Clevinger, D. C. Courter, Sam Courter, James 
Case, William Canaday, John Q. Chambers, Luther Collins, Thomas M. 
Carnes. 

Thomas Dunkerson, James A. Dale, A. E. Dale, W. E. Dodd, Willis 
Dickinson, PhiUip Davis, John Duley, Pleasant Daniel, John Daniel, Thomas 
Daniel, Alfred Daniel, John Dovney, George Davis, Willis Daniel, John P. 
Devers. 

Samuel Edmiston, John P. Edmiston, James M. Edmiston, Edward L. 
Ellis, Samuel Ellis, Aaron England, John D. Enloe, Anthony Enloe, Abram 
Endsley, Hugh Endsley, John H. Elliott, L. H. Elliott. 

Samuel P. Fleenor, Simon Fleenor, Thomas Flint, John Fhnt, John 
Fields, Dilwood Fields, Robert Ford, R. Y. Ford, John J. Ford, Samuel 
Ford, Henry Fuller, James Fuller, S. L. Fox, Elijah Fleming, Thomas 
Foster, John Foster, Levi Fields, Jesse Fowler, Matthew Franklin, Joel J. 
Fair, Asa Fleming, Richard Ford, Charles Fitch, Sam Fitch, William T. 
Foster, George Foster, George Fallis, John Fanning. 

William B. Gillespie, Joseph Gillespie, John Gillespie, Jacob Gutshall, 
David Garton, Ananias Garton, Russell Guy, Benjamin Grubb, Thomas M. 
Geer, Noah Grant, Elkanah Glover, John Gibson, 0. P. Green. 

Phillip Harris, Joel Harris, David Harris, Isaac Hammers, William 
Hamblin, Thomas Hutchens, A. B. Harden, Edward Hunt, Joseph Hunt, 
Elijah Hubbard, E. L. Hubbard, E. S. Hughes, John J. Hatton, Marshall 
K. Howell, William W. Harper, Thomas Hart, Henry C. Hamilton, J. D. 
Hardin, Henry Herrington, Charles Hauck, Lewis Hunt, John Hudson, 
John W. Hobbs, E. H. Hobbs, John Hyde, Edward Higgins, William Hunter, 
Henry Hunter, Porter Hardin, John M. Haynes, Thomas J. Higgins, Nelson 
Hockridge, William Hamaker, Robert Hall, William Hall, William Hend- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 125 

ricks, John Honan, W. B. Harper, J. J. Hogan, J. B. Hyde, Alex Hinkley, 
Benjamin Harris, Granville, Hogan, Joseph W. Harper, Enoch Holland, 
Shephard Hulse, Alfred Hickman. 

Charles L. Jennings, E. M. Jennings, Martin Jennings, Samuel 0. Jen- 
nings, Miles Jennings, Ichabod Jincks, Lee P. Jones, John Jones, Joseph 
Jones, Joseph C. Johnson. 

Charley Killyan, John P. King, William King, Simon P. King, Jesse 
Kelley. 

William Long, Ivan Low, Joshua Low, Alvin P. Low, Isaac N. Ladd, 
Thomas Ladd, William N. Lauderback, William G. Lewis, Joshua Looman, 
John Long, C. A. Long, John Liggett, Leonard Ladd, Jacob B. Ladd, William 
Liles. 

William Mitchell, Jacob Mitchell, John Mitchell, Daniel Mitchell, James 
M. Mitchell, Reuben Macey, Eli McDaniel, F. H. McKinney, Patrick McGill, 
Elisha Meeker, James Mallett, F. B. Miller, Cornelius Murphy, Daniel Mor- 
gan, William Munns, John McGinley, Charles Miller, S. C. Miller, Thomas 
Monson, Hugh T. Monson, Adam Miller, Abram Myers, John McGraw, 
Dr. J. G. Miller, William Martin, John Merrifield, RoUa Merrifield, Na- 
thaniel Martin, Arch Montgomery, Kader Madden, Allen S. Meek, Jacob 
H. McLey, James Moss, John R. Maize, David Macey, G. M. Mendenhall, 
John G. Musick. 

George W. Noah, Harrison Noble, S. M. Nelson, James Nash, Wil- 
liam Nally, Samuel F. Neal, Henry 0. Nevill, James H. Nevill. 

Hardin Oatman, Clem Oatman, John Oatman, John Grain, William 
Oxford, Jonathan Oxford, Jacob D. Oxford, Drury Obion. 

Samuel Prewitt, John Prewitt, Robert Peery, Peery, Logan H. 

Peery, John Poynter, Thomas Poynter, William Pelcher, James Powell, An- 
thony Plymell, Peter Price, Joseph Price, James Price, William L. Price, 
Veazey Price, Christopher Platz, Peter Pettit, J. A. Piburn, J. M. Piburn. 

William Robinson, James K. Rees, James Ramey, Benjamin S. Ramey, 
William Rice, Shedrick Robertson, Solomon Richardson, Hugh Ross, Samuel 
Ross, Jacob Ross, John E. Roberts, Henry Rice, James Rhodes, Perry 
Reed, John Ramey. 

Ephraim Stewart, Wright Stephens, WiHiam M. Selby, Vincent Smit.'i, 
John W. Stephenson, John R. Scott, George Smith, Jonathan H. Smith, A. 
J. Smith, Ed Smith, James Stone, Amos Spurgin, Eli Salmon, Thomas 
Shain, Noah Snell, Jacob Stumbaugh, Rod Stark, Charles M. Scott, Ben- 
jamin Salmon, John Sanders, Daniel Shumate, G. W. Selby, Samuel Spires, 



126 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

William Smith, Sylvester Smith, Allen Scott, William Sim.pson, James N. 
Stafford. 

L. Dow Thompson, Thomas Tucker, Daniel Tucker, Beverly Travis, 
David Travis, William A. Travis, Hiram Tinney, John Taylor, Thomas Tay- 
lor, Chris Taylor, James Taylor, Thomas Thompson, Thomas Terry, Daniel 
M. Thomas, Elkanah Timmons, Reuben D. Tillay, Sanford M. Tilley, John 
Tull, Ben Tull, Jeptha Tull, Birdine Taylor, J. F. Thompson, Allen Turner, 
Silas Turner. 

John W. Virden, Jesse Vail, Daniel Vanderpool, Isaac Vanhoozier, Val- 
entine Vanhoozier, William M. Virden. 

George Williams, Alfred Williams, John Williams, Andrew Williams, 
David Williams, John B. Williams, Richard Watson, Noah Whitt, SJiarp 
Winningham, Elijah Wilcot, John Wilcot, Hiram K. Weddle, Calvin Wil- 
liams, Adam H. Wilson, B. T. Whedbee, Solomon Wilkinson, W. B. Weldon, 
Zachariah Welden, Jonathan Welden, Mark P. Wills, Daniel Walker, Richard 
Walker, Joel H. Worthington. 

Jeremiah Young, Harvey Young, R. R. Young, F. B. Young, WMliam 
Young. 

Of course, it is not claimed that the foregoing is a full or complete 
list of all the early settlers but it is believed to be the lai-gest list that 
has ever been published. In writing a history of the county for the "Atlas" 
prepared by Edwards Brothers, in 1876, Colonel Heaston made a list of 
early settlers embracing about one-half the names above given. The 
others have been added from other sources. 

Some of those people moved further on, others remained, and most 
have gone to their last resting places, leaving honored family names. 

In 1840 Aseph M. Butler settled west of Big Creek on the farm where 
he lived and died near the south line of the county. He came from Ver- 
mont. About the same time John R. Maize, who died October 9, 1921, 
settled near him. In the same year Thomas Tyler settled near 
the head of Pole Cat Creek on what was later known as the Birdine Taylor 
farm, upon which stands the Kutley Chapel. It was an old joke among 
the settlers that Uncle Tommy Taylor was the smartest man on Pole 
Cat, having shown his wisdom by settling so far up toward the head of the 
"critter." He certainly showed wisdom in selection of the site of his 
location. No better or more beautiful country is anywhere to be found. 

John Foster settled near Antioch Church, four miles southeast of 
Bethany in 1840. He was a very strong man and it was said of him that 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 127 

he was always ready to fight — for amusement, for trial of strength — or in 
defense of the right. 

The same year Thomas Flint settled near him. He was a minister 
in the Christian Church and continued to preach many years. He was an 
intelligent man, and did much good in properly directing the morals of the 
people. He was appointed circuit clerk upon the first organization of the 
county and died in office. David and William A. Ti'avis also came here 
in 1840. They settled a few miles northeast of Bethany. It was reported 
about this part of the county that David Travis was one of the best 
hunters among the early settlers and in addition to other game occasionally 
killed an elk. In 1841 there settled near where Bethany is John W. Brown, 
Thomas Tucker, Charles L. Jennings, E. M. Jennings, William R. Allen and 
others. At that time there were no v/hite settlers north of them except 
a few at Fort Des Moines where there was an Indian town and a fort. 
John W. Browm was one of the best known men among the early settlers 
and one of the best citizens that ever lived in the county. Before the 
organization of the county he was elected a justice of the peace or "squire" 
as he was familiarly called, and what cases there were, were decided by 
him and the man who was not satisfied with his decision was set down 
as a contentious man. After the organization of the county he was both 
circuit and county clerk for twenty years. 

The first settlers of this county were all an exceptionally good class 
of citizens and all accounts we have learned of them agree in this. No 
county was ever settled by a better class of men than John S. Allen, 
William R. Allen, Aseph M. Butler, David Buck. Daniel Bartlett, C. L. 
Jennings, T. M. Geer, Lewis Charlton, Henry Fuller, Samuel Edmiston, 
John W. Brown, Thomas Flint, Thomas Tucker, T. M. Dunkerson, Elisha 
Meeker, M. K. Howell, Philip Harris, James A. Dale, Ephraim Stewart. 
William A. Travis, David Travis and those who settled with them near 
Bethany. Even William Penn and his early colony were no better. 

The Planting of the Coltonwood Tree. 

By Ed Blair. 

The building of the cabin home. 

The planting of the trees. 
The breaking of the virgin soil — 

What tender memories! 



128 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

What stories, told of other days, 
That now drift back to me, 

I think this one the best of all, 
The planting of this tree. 

A little sprout she carried there 

When first the home was bought, 
For mother said "a treeless home 

Was such a lonely spot." 
And by the door where sunimei"'s breeze 

Would tune its leaves to song 
She planted it and nourished till 

Its roots grew firm and strong. 

Dear cottonwood, so lovely then. 

How wide and tall it grew. 
What joy to those long absent when 

Its top first came to view! 
A sentinel it seemed to be 

That stood majestic there, 
And guarded those who dwelt within 

That dear old home so fair. 

'Twas mother's tree! And it has stood 

For thirty years or moi'e. 
Where loving hands had planted it 

Beside that cottage door. 
The song-birds came and nested there, 

And 'neath its cooling shade, 
The boys and girls that blessed the home 

Their first playhouses made. 

Here where the I'oaming buffaloes 

Were chased by Indian bands — 
"The treeless desert of the plains" — 

The shaded home now stands. 
The shaded homes, the homes with trees 

On every plain appear — 
'Twas mother's love, 'twas mother's care 

That gave and made them dear. 






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CHAPTER VI 



INDIAN HISTORY. 



TRADING WITH INDIANS — NEED OF AMMUNITION — AN INCIDENT — INDIANS 
FRIENDLY— ORGANIZATION OF MILITIA — OFFICERS SELECTED— "THE KILD- 
YAN WAR." 

Among the incidents of the early days were some arising from coming 
in contact with and trading with the Indians. The early settlers were 
sometimes in quite a strait for ammunition. This was to them a serious 
matter as they depended in a great measure upon wild meat for the first 
few years. This want was often partially supplied by the Indians who 
generally had powder and lead in abundance furnished them by the gov- 
ernment. The Indians were then numerous in the southwest portion of 
Iowa and when their hunting excursions would come near the white settle- 
ments, the whites would trade with them to secure ammunition. The 
Indians soon learned that when the whites needed ammunition they would 
give good trades to get it ; in this they exhibited their natural shrewdness 
and in the game of "swap" they often outwitted their pale-face brothers. 

An incident occurring in the fall of 1841 illustrating this has been, 
handed down to us. It was like this: A settler needing ammunition, 
gathered a lot of turnips and took them to an Indian camp to trade, but 
being unable to speak in the Indian dialect the Indians held him at a dis- 
advantage, pretending not to understand him. Toward evening a lad 
about ten or twelve years old offered to trade some powder for turnips ; 
they effected a trade, the man delivering the turnips and followed the 
lad into his wigwam to get the powder. It was then dark but the wigwam 
was lighted up slightly by a stick fire; the lad got the allotted amount 
in a rag and the settler wanted to take it to the light to examine it but 
the lad motioned frantically for him not to take it to the light to examine 
it at the same time saying "tshu tshu" as much as to say it will explode. 
The man took the alleged powder to his wagon, but fearing the lad was 
tricking him concluded to test the powder. He tasted it and tried to ex- 

(4) 



180 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

plode a little of it when he found it was no good. He returned with it to 
the wigwam but neither the lad nor the turnips could be found. It ap- 
peared that the lad had gathered up some charcoal, pounded it up fine 
and traded it to the unsuspecting settler for pure government powder. He 
wandered around complaining greatly at the manner in which he had been 
swindled, but he could not find a member of the Lo family who could 
understand him sufficiently to sympathize with him in the loss of his 
turnips and powder. 

The Indians would generally trade almost anything they had for 
"skutipo" (whisky). They would gather large quantities of wild meat, 
which they would dry and pack away for transportation to their towns. 
They were also quite skillful at tanning deer skins out of which they made 
many useful articles or beautiful trinkets. They preferred to trade these 
to the settlers but soon found that there was not much demand for them. 
They would exchange their dried venison or anything for "skutipo" and 
then their men would get drunk and when they were drunk they were not 
"good Indians" and it was safer to be away from them, though they were 
quiet when sober and never disturbed the whites or their property, but 
sometimes would infringe upon the hunting grounds of the whites. It 
was against the law to trade, sell or give whisky to the Indians, yet 
the law was in that regard oftener violated than it was vindicated. 

In 1843 an order was received to organize the militia in these settle- 
mi-nts. Prior to that time the settlers had not felt any particular need of 
a mililary organization but they did not know what emergency migh arise 
and they thought the Giovemor might know more about matters than 
they did. And they were growing in importance when they attracted 
enough sufficient notice to be taxed and formed into a military department. 
There were a great many Indians in the southwest part of Iowa and 
though they were friendly and peaceable the settlers did not know what 
might occur to change this pleasant state of affairs, therefore they talked 
the matter over like good citizens and concluded to meet together and 
organize the militia. The women were particularly well pleased at the 
idea of that the militia would be organized and their protection fully 
secured. 

Of course the important consideration was in reference to the proper 
persons for the officers of their little army. It was agreed that they would 
need a colonel and a major and they set about the selection of these officers. 
It was the general opinion that these officers must be men of judgment 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 131 

and courage, especially the colonel must be a man of stamina. At last it 
was determined that C. L. Jennings was the proper man for colonel. He 
had come to the county in 1841, reared a large cabin on the farm (later 
known as the Jacob King farm) some four miles northeast of Bethany. 
He had shown himself to be a good commander of an ox team and was good 
looking and the tallest man in the settlement and the squatters being 
Bible readers knew how Saul was selected for king because "he was higher 
than any of the people from the shoulders up." 

S. C. Allen was elected major. He was not so tall as the colonel 
but that was not considered so important a matter for the lower officers. 
No roll or roster of the men enrolled has been preserved. It has been 
stated that there were two companies but it is not known how many 
men there were in each company as they were divided according to the 
convenience of the settlers. 

The Kjllyan War. 

Shortly after the militia were organized they were called into service 
by the colonel under the following circumstances: A settler on the edge 
of the prairie a few miles south of where Eagleville now is, by the name of 
Charles Killyan took a few bushels of corn to Phil Harris' mill on Big Creek 
west of Bethany. While he was there a heavy rain fell, raising the creek 
so that it could not be crossed ; there were no bridges or fences on Big 
Creek at that time. The mill was on the west side of the creek and as it 
appeared the creek would continue too deep to ford for two or three days, 
Killyan concluded to go up the creek on the west side until he could 
cross it. Accordingly he started north to head the creek and go home. As 
he did not return home for a week and had always been a good, industrious 
citizen of no bad habits, his family and the neighbors became alarmed at 
his protracted absence. Neighbors were sent to the mill to see if any tid- 
ings could be gained of him. It was learned he had been to the mill, ob- 
tained his grinding and started home in due time, but nothing further 
was known or could be heard of him. 

The settlers became aroused, the matter was discussed. It was con- 
sidered that he had started for home in a northwest direction toward the 
Indian settlements in southwest Iowa and no doubt was entertained but 
that he had been captured by the Indians. Was he killed and scalped or 



132 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

was he held as a captive and hostage ? These were questions that excited 
various comments. 

If Killyan was captured by the Indians it was the duty of the settlers 
to punish the Indians or there would be no safety for any other settler 
that might be out alone and it was considered a matter of prudence as 
v.ell as sound statesmanship to show the Indians the strength and courage 
of the settlement. 

The idea of war upon the frontier with the wild and merciless savages 
excited the liveliest apprehensions. They had often read of Indian war- 
fare and had early been taught that their mode of warfare was the indis- 
criminate murder of men, women and children and that the Indians were 
cunning and liable to dash down upon them without any notice or sign of 
their coming. All such thoughts had a tendency to intensify the situation. 

Upon consultation it was decided proper to call out the militia and 
follow after the trail of Killyan. It was true the Indians had always been 
peaceable and friendly and had never appeared to show any desire to 
make trouble with the white settlers but once and that was after the 
Indians had lost some ponies and thought the whites had taken them, or 
harbored those who did ; but upon investigation the Indians were con- 
vinced that the squatters in this county were not to blame and thereupon 
friendly relations had been more firmly established than before. There 
was no telling but what some thief or thieves had again stolen some of 
their ponies and the Indians might have concluded to take their revenge 
upon Killyan. 

Some of the more timid could almost see poor Killyan tied to a tree or 
stake with a pile of wood around him ready to have the torch applied. 
Everybody was excited, especially the women and children. Killyan's poor 
wife became almost distracted. She would cry and say: "My poor husband 
has been captured by the Indians. Oh ! I will never get to see him again." 

Under these circumstances the colonel of the militia issued his orders 
to have the settlement placed on a war footing and all the militia were 
ordered to meet at the house of the colonel the next morning by sun- 
rise to start upon an armed expedition in search of the missing squatter 
or to discover his murderers. Such a bustle, excitement and hurry had 
never before been knowm in the territory. Riders were sent in all directions 
to notify the militia to turn out on the morrow with ten days' provisions. 

The women in their patriotism forgot their fright for the time being 
and flew to cooking rations for the campaign. The men brightened up 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 133 

their guns and "run" bullets and prepared their ammunition and such a 
general rubbing and cleaning up old guns was not common. 

The militia had been organized under orders but had drawn no 
arms, ammunition or rations. On such an expedition it was necessary to 
go as cavalry and each soldier must be supplied with a horse. They were 
all good hunters and experienced marksmen, having brought down many 
a deer and felt safe when at the breech of their guns. 

The next morning early the militiamen might have been seen riding 
to the residence of the colonel until the regiment numbered about forty 
faithful troopers. All things being ready the gallant colonel brought 
out his war horse and gave the order to mount and they soon dashed 
off double file for the fray. They stopped to feed and water at noon on 
Big Creek and shortly after starting again they struck a trail showing 
that numerous ponies had recently traveled to the north. 

After traveling some distance they came to a place where the Indians 
had evidently camped and they found meal scattered upon the ground 
and tracks that indicated one large horse among the ponies, all of which 
they interpreted to mean that the Indians had the horse and meal, but 
where was Killyan ? Perhaps a poor captive and far removed from family 
and friends or perhaps worse, left as food for wolves. 

Here a few of the army wanted to go back, claiming that further 
search was useless and that they had enlisted for only one day and their 
families were not well and their stock required their attention and other 
similar trivial excuses. The colonel said it was no time to desert the post 
of duty in the hour of danger and when the country demanded every 
man to do his duty, but if any of his command would publicly acknowl- 
edge that he was a coward and would surrender his gun and ammunition 
he would be dishonorably mustered out of the service and could return 
home. No one would do that and the morale of the forces was fully re- 
stored. And they boldly pushed forward into the enemy's country. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon, when they gained the summit 
of a ridge and looked far to the north they saw men on horseback. "Indians, 
boys," said a gallant trooper, as he gazed through a spy-glass. "Indians, 
by thunder," said the colonel as he gazed through the spy-glass, "and 
coming this way, but only a small squad." Was it the advance guard, or 
a decoy to deceive the militia? But our colonel was not to be decoyed. 
He ordered his men forward to suitable grounds, where they were dis- 



134 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

mounted and formed a line of battle and awaited the approach of the 
enemy. 

"Now, by thunder, let every man stand his ground, and all stick to- 
gether," said the colonel. With bated breath they awaited the approach 
of the enemy. They were in an open prairie and could not be ambushed 
and did not much fear an attack at that place, but it was a good point for 
observation. Presently two Indians and a white man emerged from the 
brushy hollow before them. "That is Killyan," said the man with the spy- 
glass. As they came nearer the men saw that it was Killyan and he was 
received with joy. 

He then explained that he had started up the west side of Big Creek 
to the head of the stream, that he had done so, but the weather being 
bad and cloudy, he had lost his course and gone too far east and gone 
down on the east side of Grand River, which he could not cross on ac- 
count of the high water and had to go back north again. Falling in with 
some friendly Indians that also were going to Fort Des Moines, two of 
them were sent to assist him in finding his way home as they understood 
the country better than Killyan. 

The Indians received the thanks of the big warrior and the grateful 
acknowledgments of Killyan and departed to seek their tribe, and Killyan 
w^as returned to his family who were almost overwhelmed with joy. The 
war was declared over, the victory won, the lost restored and the valiant 
militia dismissed by the colonel with praises for their bravery in turning 
out in defense of their imperiled country. 

The peaceful and happy termination of this campaign gave renewed 
confidence to the settlers that they need not fear any trouble from the 
Indians north of them. And it is worthy of remark that there never waa 
any hostile troubles or scarcely any ill feeling between them. This in a 
great degree was owing to the good will kept up and fostered at all times 
by the early settlers. 



CHAPTER VII 



THE MORMON WAR. 



MORMON EXODUS FROM NAUVOO— TRAVELED WESTWARD— STOP IN IOWA— RU- 
MORS OP THEIR INTENTIONS — UNWARRANTED EXCITEMENT AMONG SET- 
TLERS—MILITIA MOBILIZED— MARCHED AGAINST THE MORMONS — MEETING 
WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG— A BETTER UNDERSTANDING — TREATY. 

In the year 1846 occurred what is known by the early settlers as the 
"Mormon War." After the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo, Illinois was 
broken up, and Joseph Smith, their leader and prophet was killed, Brigham 
Young came forward as the successor of Joseph Smith and assumed the 
leadership as such prophet, and with the greater portion of the adher- 
ents of the strange doctrine, started out west to seek a country beyond 
civilization — some lone and pleasant dell, some valley in the West — where 
free from toil and pain the weary Mormons might rest and live according 
to their doctrines, without molestation by civil authorities. 

The Monnons traveled westward through the southern portion of 
Iowa. This portion of that state was not settled at that time and as 
the Mormons swarmed along the border many of them stopped in what 
is now Decatur County, Iowa, and commenced improving land at a place 
they called Mount Pisgah, and also at Garden Grove. 

All sorts of rumors were in circulation in reference to the intentions 
and designs of the Mormons. Many thought they intended to return to 
Missouri and buy up their old possessions and those they could not buy 
out they would in some way force out, and this would lead to disturb- 
ances and perhaps break up the settlements and bring great trouble to 
the settlers. 

It was thought they were waiting upon the borders for other Mormons 
to arrive and as soon as they received sufficient force they would make 
a raid upon Missouri. These reports greatly excited the settlers, as they 
were weak in numbers and would be the first to be over-run by the Mor- 
mons from the north as there were only a few settlers north of Bethany. 



136 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The militia had been drilled but little and had no experience in the 
field save that of the "Killyan War,'" but still had the same gallant colonel 
to look to and lead them to victory. In consequence of the alleged prepara- 
tions of the Mormons and rumored threats, the settlers thought it best to 
carry the war into the enemy's country and to attack them while they were 
yet unprepared. 

Accordingly war was determ,ined upon and Colonel Jennings called 
his regiment together and they struck north on the line of march with 
banners flying and guns shining in the blazing sun, determined to give the 
muchly married men one trial at least. The colonel never felt prouder 
than he did on that day as he reviewed the regiment of about fifty valiant 
warriors, each of whom could knock out a squirrel's eye at 100 yards, and 
who had never been defeated. 

After a two-days' march the colonel and his army came upon the 
Monnon settlement when the colonel demanded the whereabouts of Brig- 
ham Young. The Mormons appeared to very much excited and were not 
at all prepared for war, only bent on peaceful pursuits and waiting for 
other stragglers to join them. In the surprise and alarm of seeing an armed 
force in their front some concluded that it was the Illinois troops inter- 
cepting their westward journey. The women retreated to their tents, the 
children huddled together in herds and the men stood around in groups as 
if expecting to be taken prisoners. 

The colonel ordered his men to remain in line and on no account 
to break ranks. Presently the Mormons ran up a white flag. As Brig- 
ham Young did not appear for some time, the colonel sent a guard for him 
and in a few minutes Brigham came out bowing and scraping as politely 
as a French dancing master and asked: "What is wanting. Sir? What 
do you want with me?" The colonel rose in his stirrups to his full stature 
and said : "We want to know what in thunder you are doing here." Brig- 
ham said very meekly: "We are simply traveling peaceably toward the 
west." The colonel spoke out, very bodly and said unto him, "Our people 
in Missouri, including my regiment, became uneasy at your appearance 
and maneuvers here and supposed you were intending to move on Missouri, 
and have come to see about it. Brigham smiled and said very obsequiously, 
"You need give yourselves no uneasiness, gentlemen. We have been driven 
from our homes in Illinois by the wicked Gentiles and some of our people 
are so poor they had to stop and raise something to live on and will then 
move ahead." The colonel thereupon entered into a treaty of peace with 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 137 

Brigham that he was not to enter Missouri except for trade and com- 
mercial purposes. 

The war having met with this favorable conclusion, the gallant colonel 
with his conquering army returned home without the loss of a man. They 
reported the Mount Pisgah treaty to the 'inhabitants of Bethany and all 
seemed satisfied with the result of the expedition. After that the settlers 
enjoyed a lucrative trade with the Mormon travelers. 

These were the only wars in which the militia of the territory en- 
gaged. They served at their own expense without the hope of fee or 
reward. It is said that they never received any bounty, back pay, warrant, 
pensions or bonus. The gallant colonel resided in this county many years, 
respected as a veteran by all the early settlers, and in 1887 was a dairy- 
man at St. Joseph. 



CHAPTER VIII 



INCIDENTS OF EARLY DAYS. 



GAME PLENTIFUl-— ALSO WILD FRUITS AND NUTS— HUNTING BEE TREES— BEES- 
WAX AN IMPORTANT CTOMMGDITY — HONEY, BEESWAX AND FURS — TRADING 
POINTS — HONESTY OF PIONEERS — FIRST POSTOFFICE— CHARACTER OF 
SETTLERS— EARLY DAY CABINS— HUNTING WOLVES— ROBIDOUX TRADING 
POST— AN INCIDENT OF LI\aNG UP TO A CONTRACT. 

When the county was first being settled game was plentiful, such as 
deer, turkeys, prairie chickens, quail and there were some elk. There 
were also a great many wolves, coons, squirrels and a few panthers. Wild 
plums, grapes, cherries, blackberries, strawberries and gooseberries were 
abundant in the timber, as were also hickory nuts, walnuts and acorns. 
Patches of hazel nuts skirted and dotted all the prairies and there was 
most nearly every fall enough to fatten all the hogs the settlers had. 

Bees were found in many hollow trees with large amounts of honey 
and the amount of beeswax that could be made was measured by the 
wants and industry of the settlers. As stock was low priced, and really 
the settlers had none to spare, and their tillable land was limited in acreage, 
the principal sources of income were from the honey, beeswax, furs and 
venison taken to market. 

For a few years after the first settling of the county the principal 
market place was at Liberty, Clay County. The settlers then co-operated 
together, meeting together at some convenient place and bringing their 
surplus products with them, would together load a wagon and splice 
team and send one of their number to Liberty, about eighty miles away, 
to sell their produce or trade it, and to get coffee, tea, salt, calico, do- 
mestic and ammunition and such other absolute necessaries as they could 
not raise or make themselves. Upon the return of the teamster they 
would meet again and make division of their goods and the money, if 
any remained, and the young lady who was so fortunate as to receive a 
calico dress was made happy as a queen just receiving a cro\vn. 

Beeswax, made in cakes, was generally called "the yellow boys," 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 139 

and often was used as currency, passing from one to another at twenty- 
five cents per pound. 

These early settlers bore the reputation of great honesty and fair 
dealing, yet there were even among their number some whose greed for 
gain and littleness induced them to take undue advantage, and it is 
said the yellow cakes were sometimes counterfeited with cheaper alloy. 
At one time when the teamster arrived at the trading post a cake of 
beeswax was found with a corner broken off, exposing an inside filling 
of tallow. This counterfeit was returned to the dishonest owner, and 
so indignant were the honest settlers at his conduct and its tendency 
to bring their settlement into disrepute that no teamster would after- 
wards convey his produce to market and the small stream upon which 
he lived became known and was called "the tallow fork of beeswax," and 
is so known yet in that neighborhood. 

Coon skins also passed current at fifty cents each, and mink skins 
at twenty-five cents. The state then paid fifty cents for wolf scalps and 
the small taxes were mostly paid with that currency. 

There were at this time no postiffices or post roads in the county 
and what few letters were written by the settlers had to be sent to 
Cravensville, a small postoffice in Daviess County five or six miles north 
of Gallatin. This was a place that had been built by the Mormons and 
occupied by them, but after they left the village went to decay and the 
postoffice was discontinued. 

The first postoffice in the county was established at Bethany in 
1845. For several years it went by the name of Bethpage, and David 
Buck was appointed postmaster. The mail was carried on horseback 
to and from Cravensville once each week. 

The settlers took but few newspapers and therefore as might be 
expected were not well and freshly posted upon all that was going on 
in the busy outside world, but they knew how to trail the deer or find 
the rich bee tree. 

They often visited each other and related their successes and disap- 
pointments, rejoicing together over their prosperity and good fortune 
or sympathizing with each other in their troubles. Hypocrisy and deceit 
were almost unknown among them and honesty and hospitality dis- 
tinguished them, and although often scant in basket and in store, there 
was no time that each would not have readily shared his provisions 
with a neighbor. 



140 HISTORY OF HARBISON COUNTY 

Their cabins were rude and diminutive but their latch strings, hke 
their generous hearts, hung on the outside. Occasionally a thief would 
pass through and take a horse and then the whole settlement would be 
aroused. Fortunately such losses did not occur often and there is no 
record of a horse thief being caught by the settlers of the county. It 
was a rule among them of the very highest authority that no settler 
should knowingly harbor a horse thief. There is a case reported of one 
man who violated this excellent rule and he was made to suffer the 
penalty, which was "linting." Of course lynching is not to be encour- 
aged in well regulated communities, but among the early settlers it 
appeai'ed to be the dernier ressort. It was too far away to take the 
offenders to court, would occupy too much time and incur too great ex- 
pense. The settlers found "linting" so much easier, speedy and eco- 
nomical and in this case it worked so admirably in making a good citizen 
of the victim that it was in very high favor. 

There was very little sickness among the early settlers. This may 
have been owing to the fact that it was only the stout and hearty 
young people who had the hardihood to venture out upon the wild and 
unsubdued frontier, or it may have been that the open air life and rustic 
cabins vvere conducive to health. Most likely both reasons operated to 
produce the result. 

Hunting and chasing wolves in the winter was a cheerful sport and 
a delightful pastime. About the year 1844 Dr. Hardin Oatman settled in 
the new country. He did not come, however, so much to practice his 
profession as to open out a farm. In cases of severe sickness he was 
usually called, but his calls for several years were not frequent, although 
he was a good physician and a clever gentleman and it is said his bills 
were not heavy. 

About the year 1843 St. Joseph was first laid off and began to attract 
attention as a trading point. Up to that time the place had been merely 
an Indian trading post conducted by Joseph Robidoux, and was known 
as the Blacksnake Hills. It soon became a business place and as it was 
about twenty-five miles nearer than Liberty the settlers early commenced 
making paths and roads in that direction. The Grand River currency 
passed as readily and at as good rates there as at Liberty, hence the 
honey, wax and pelt trade soon turned almost exclusively to St. Joseph. 
No more attempts at counterfeiting were brought to light and the mer- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 141 

chants of St. Joseph soon acquired great confidence in the Grand River 
squatters. 

An incident illustrating' that this confidence was not misplaced is 
related of a certain Grand River settler. He was at St. Joseph doing 
some trading at the store of Bob Donnell, later a New York banker, and 
the goods he happened to want being more than his "produce" would 
pay for, he agreed to bring more honey and wax by a given day. The 
settler felt proud and elated that the merchant would take his word for 
the delivery of the honey, but Donnell was a pretty good judge of human 
nature and thought the settler had an honest face and would do to trust 
for a barrel of honey. 

The squatter hastened home, told his wife of his good fortune, felt 
like a man of consequence and vowed that he would make his promise 
good. He accordingly struck out to hunt the bee trees and find his honey. 
He hunted all day and continued his search by moonlight, searching 
hollow trees and listening for the buzzing of bees. In a few days he 
had secured his barrel of honey, and returned home to prepare for his 
journey to St. Joseph. 

Upon counting up his time he found he had only three days and 
his time would be out on Sunday, so he hurried up but failed to get to 
St. Joseph on Saturday. He hesitated about moving forward on the 
holy day, but thought that would not be so bad as failing to keep his 
promise, so he entered the city on Sunday and inquired for Bob Donnell, 
and was informed that he was at church. He hastened to the church 
and arriving just as the minister had commenced his sermon, he ad- 
dressed him rather abruptly with "Hello, stranger! Will you hold on 
a minute? I want to inquire if Bob Donnell is in the house." Bob saw 
him and walked out, when the squatter in a loud voice told him, "Well, 
Bob, I have brought you that barrel of honey." At this every one in 
the house laughed, but the honest settler felt a proud consciousness of 
having made good his financial obligation that no mirth could remove. 
Since that time the reputation of the Grand River settlers for prompt- 
ness and punctuality. 



CHAPTER IX 



LAND OPENED FOR ENTRY. 



SQUATTERS— SOME TOWNSHIPS LAID OFF IN 1842— UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE 
AT PLATTSBURG — METHOD OF SURVEYING GOVERNMENT LAND — MARKING 
SURVEYS— FIRST LAND ENTERED NORTH OF TOWT-JSHIP 62 IN 1846. 

When the squatters first came to this county each one could get as 
much land as he wanted, that is, could claim what he wanted for farm 
or pasture or timber, for the land was not then surveyed or laid off into 
sections of townships. 

About 1842 the land in township 62, that is a strip five miles wide 
on south side of county, was laid off into sections and opened for entry, 
and in 1845 the land in townships 63, 64 and 65, that is eighteen miles 
more north, was surveyed and sectionized, and in 1846 was opened for 
entry at the United States land office, then at Plattsburg, Missouri. 

The surveyors first laid off the townships six miles square, and 
these were afterwards subdivided into sections. Each section was in- 
tended to be one mile square and to contain 640 acres, but as the original 
townships were not always accurately surveyed they were found some- 
times to be more and sometimes to be less than that size. The surveyors 
laying off the section would commence at the southeast corner of the 
township and survey north and west, so the south and east sections 
were made one mile square and the last tier of sections on the north and 
west was often either more or less than the one mile square, and the 
north part of the last sections adjoining the township line on the north 
side of the township, and the half of the sections adjoining the range 
line on the west side of the township sustained the loss or gain. The 
inside eighty acres was usually full and was called lot 1, and the outside 
eighty, or the tract next the line, was called lot 2, so lots 2 are often 
more than eighty acres and again often fall below that size. 

The government surveyors only ran the section lines and marked the 
section corners and the half-mile posts on their lines. In the timber 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 143 

or where they could get stakes conveniently they would make a stake 
about four inches square and four feet long and drive into the ground 
two feet. Upon the sides of the stakes were marked the number of the 
section it was made to face and the township and range. This was for 
the convenience of the people who desired to enter the land. 

Sometimes upon the large prairies the surveyors would run out of 
stakes and then they would pour down about a quart of charcoal to mark 
the e.xact corner and cover it up with earth, making a small hillock. It 
was a violation of the law for any person to move these stakes or hills. 

Of course the section lines did not always suit the squatters, as 
sometimes they would have their houses in one section and their bams 
in another, and very frequently their cultivated lands would be divided 
by the lines. Sometimes a squatter would find his small field in four 
sections. 

As the surveyors did not run the inside lines, it gave occasion for 
the squatters to exercise their skill in sighting through, setting stakes 
and running the other lines. 

The first lands entered north of township 62 were entered by John 
S. Allen, David Buck and James A. Dale on December 22, 1846. At the 
same time John A. Allen as county seat commissioner entered 160 acres 
for the county for county seat purposes, to-wit: The west half of the 
southeast quarter, and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 
10, township 63, range 28, west of the fifth principal meridian. Thus 
the land upon which the county seat was located was not entered or 
purchased from the government until some time after the county seat 
vvas located, and part of it laid off into lots, some of the lots sold and a 
few houses erected on them. 



CHAPTER X 



EARLY DAY CUSTOMS. 



THE PRINCIPAL CONCERN OF THE PIONEER— IMMIGRANTS— FIRST SETTLEMENTS 
ALONG STREAMS— CLEARING A HOME SITE— BUILDING THE PIONEER LOG 
CABIN— PLAN OF CONSTRUCTION— WOMEN'S WORK— INSTINCT OF THE 
PIONEER— HOME — SOCIAL AND MORAL STATUS — NEIGHBORLY SPIRIT- 
PRESENT DAY CONTRAST— THE LOG HOUSE— IMPLEMENTS AND UTENSILS. 

The principal concern in the new country was to provide bread. 
There wis wild game for meat and hollow trees often contained honey. 
The pioneers fed om corn dodgers, honey and venison were healthy, happy 
and wise. A man could have all the land he wanted, that is, he could 
claim all he desired, and the settlers usually regarded each other's rights 
and would not settle when or where there were any objections by the 
prior settlers. 

The immigrants generally brought with them some stock, such as 
horses, cattle and sometimes sheep and a few hogs. They also brought 
some breadstuff and a scant amount of household goods, as bedding, 
dishes and something in the furniture line. 

The first settlements were made along the streams and in the edge 
of the timber. Thereby they were near wood and water. It saved them 
digging wells, and they were near the trees for hunting bee trees, for 
honey and beeswax was a principal industry. The prairie sod was so 
tough it required a team of four or five yoke of cattle to "break" it, and 
it was so much easier there to erect their cabins. 

The first thing after selecting a location was to cut down trees, cut 
off logs the proper length and then invite the neighbors to come and 
help raise his house. The neighbors were those who lived in a radius of 
ten or twelve miles. When such invitation was given it was the custom 
to drop all other matters and all turned out to assist. Not to do so was 
an act of incivility, unknown among the pioneers. 

Four men were selected to "carry up" the four corners of the house. 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 145 

The top of each log was scored off to receive the next log, and the next 
one had a notch cut in it called the "rider" or "saddle" to fit upon the 
one beneath it, and the ends were then cut off smooth. The owner or 
his help would cut out places for the doors, windows and a fireplace. 
Trees were cut down and split into puncheons out of which the floors 
the doors were made and short boards called "clapboards" were split 
for the roof; logs were laid at proper distances to receive these clap- 
boards and other logs were laid upon them to hold them down. 

The fireplace and chimney were made of suitable timbers but plastered 
with mud to prevent their burning. Thus the entire house would be 
made ready for occupancy without any metal about it. The windows 
were usually left open for air holes in summer and were covered with 
cloths or greased paper in cold weather. It is said that Judge Aseph M. 
Butler was the first settler in the county to use window glass in his 
house, and for this he was regarded by his neighbors as putting on en- 
tirely too much style for these new settlements. 

As soon as the cabin was completed the settler moved in and then 
all hands went to work to open out a little farm; the women helping in 
the necessary work as well as in their household duties. 

The women of the frontier knew how to work and were always 
ready to take a hand at it. Mothers then taught their daughters to 
play on the spinning wheel and loom instead of the organ and piano. 
The music was more profitable, if less melodious. The men wore flax 
shirts and home-made woolen pants, and the women wore linsey-woolsey 
dresses. All the work of manufacturing the material and the making 
of which was done by them. Occasionally some of the more wealthy 
ladies would have a calico dress, and then she was said to be fixed up. 

The settlers who blazed the way through the wilderness for us and 
advancing civilization, have builded wiser than they knew. They were 
experienced pioneers with hearts of gold. With ruddy health and hardy 
sinews they coped with and conquered the wilds. They despised the 
coddling ease of luxury and the wintry winds, sleets and snows had no 
terrors for them. They determined the time by the shadows, and guided 
their paths at night by the stars. They knew the approaching storm. 
The sky was to them an open book. Schooled in wood-craft and learned 
in Indian lore, they tracked their game and followed the trail of the 
savage. They read the story of the broken twig and fallen leaves. Their 
vision was piercing, and their hearing acute. Accountered with rifle, 
(5) 



146 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

hunting knife and axe they contested with the forest, and wrested from 
it food, shelter and raiment. 

The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of furniture of the past, was 
made by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end one 
and a half inches in diameter at right angles, and the same sized holes 
corresponding with those in the logs of the cabin the length and breadth 
for the bed, in which were inserted poles. 

"True it is, that Home is not four square walls. 

Though with pictures hung and gilded. 
Home is where affection calls. 

Around the hearth that love hath builded." 

Those pioneers were home builders, the very foundation of a nation, 
the true root of patriotism and love of country. They appreciated the 
fruits of their own industry, and manufactured or made most of their 
own utensils. 

A person not many years ago in contrasting the social and moral 
status of his latter years with those of his early pioneer days, said, 
"Then if a house was to be raised, every man turned out, often the women 
too, while the men piled up the logs and fashioned the primitive dwelling- 
place, the women prepared the dinner. Sometimes it was cooked over 
big fires near the site where the cabin was built. In other cases it was 
prepared at the nearest cabin, and at the proper hour was carried to 
where the men were at work. If one man in the neighborhood killed a 
beef, a pig, or a deer, every other family in the neighborhood was sure 
to receive a piece. We were all on an equality. Aristocratic feelings 
were unknown, and would not have been tolerated. What one had, we 
all had, and that was the happiest period of our lives. But today, if you 
lean against a neighbor's shade tree, he will charge you for it. If you 
are poor and palsied, you may lie and suffer unnoticed and almost un- 
attended, and will probably go to the poorhouse, while just as likely as 
not, the man who reports you to the authorities as a subject of county 
care, charges the county for making the report." 

Thus our early settlers, burdened with what we deem today, untold 
hardships and deep privations, looked back, in the latter days of their 
lives, to the good old days ; and even in our own generation we may find 
many who decry the great progress of the present and long for other 
days. It is ever thus, and ever vdll be. Even the reader, should he 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 147 

search his memory, will recall as a pleasing recollection some trial or 
danger or experience through which he has successfully passed and even 
our failures are not necessarily unpleasant to recall. 

Much has been written regarding the log house of the early pioneer. 
It furnished an inexpensive and convenient shelter, and around it clus- 
ter many pleasant recollections that are even yet dear to those of us 
who had the good fortune to have been reared within its sacred portals. 
Unpretentious, uniform in size and architecture, the log house of the 
early pioneer was the greatest democratizing agent of the early day. No 
social lines could be drawn based on the grandeur of dwelling places, and 
consequently each and every one was valued at their true worth, de- 
termined solely by their every day Hfe and character. The era of the 
log house is a space of time as distinct from others in its peculiar cus- 
toms as is the Paleozoic or the Stone Age. There is a song which ends, 
after trailing through innumerable verses reciting the trials of the log 
house bachelor, which runs as follows: 

"Oh, the hinges are of leather, and the windows have no glass 
And the board roof lets the howling blizzard in. 

And I hear the hungry coyote as he sneaks up through the grass 
Near my little old log cabin on the hill." 

The farming implements of the pioneers were crude affairs, adapted, 
however, to the conditions that surrounded them and to their circum- 
stances. The bull-plough, the mould-board of which was generally of 
wood, was adapted to the fields abounding in stumps and roots. Occas- 
ionally the mould-board was part iron, and possessor of such a bull-plough 
was looked upon as real progressive. 

Other implements and utensils were of like character. When the 
clothes the settlers brought with them began to wear out, the wild nettle 
furnished them a substitute material. This, by process of drying and 
stripping, they would weave into a cloth, sufficient for their needs until 
the coming of the wintry blast. Then the furs of the wild animals were 
requisitioned with which the pioneers braved the snows and sleets in 
the coldest weather. 

The prairies were not often settled until after the first pioneer period, 
therefore the forests of the timbered lands in small tracts were cleared, 
leaving the fields prolific in stumps and roots. Hence the cradle and the 
bull-plough were well suited to the cultivation thereof. 



CHAPTER XI 



PIONEER MILLS. 



PHILIP HARRIS' MILL IN 1840— PRIOR TO THAT MADE TRIPS TO TRENTON OR 
GALLATIN— THE "GRITTER"— ISAAC HAMMER'S MILL — HORSE POWER— 
•■WAITING FOR THE GRIST "—HUNT'S MILL— WATSON'S MILL— NOAH SNELL'S 
MILL— DR. BUSH BUILDS A MILL— CHARLTON'S MILI^CAIN'S MILL — FIRST 
STEAM MILL AT BETHANY— A MODERN MILL — "GRITTERS" AGAIN IN COLD 
WINTER OF 1842-43. 

In 1840 Phillip Harris settled west of Big Creek, three miles south- 
west of Bethany, and seeing the necessity for a grist mill began erecting 
one and the next year had it in operation and there was no longer occas- 
ion in that vicinity for "gritting." The first settlers had to go down 
to Grand River near Trenton or Gallatin to get their com ground into 
meal, or else they had to "grit" it at home. 

A "gritter" was made by taking part of an old coffee pot or piece 
of tin and punching it full of holes, bowing it up in the middle and nail- 
ing the edges to a board rough side up. The corn in the ear was first 
boiled in a kettle; then when cooled after removing was rubbed on the 
gritter to make it fine. It was then run through a seive. 

About 1844 Isaac Hammers settled at Taylor's grove. He erected 
a horse grist mill, so when the water got too low at Harris' mill the 
"boss" mill could do the grinding, and the gritting process was perma- 
nently laid aside. Each man going to the mill was expected to furnish 
the team whilst his grist was being ground. Parson Allen is said to have 
remarked later to a neighbor, "Did you ever in cold weather go twenty 
milos to a horse mill and swing around the circle until you ground out a 
two horse load of corn?" To spin around that circle for four long, 
wrary hours of a cold, dark, dreary night, punching up the team, is no 
laughing matter. Cheerless, but for the hope of the call to come, "Your 
grist is out," heard thi'ough the chink of the logs as the miller called 
it out. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 149 

About the year 1840 John Gibson settled in the southeast part of the 
county on Sugar Creek, and being somewhat ingenious and to save going 
a long way to mill,, he rigged up a hand mill for grinding com and made 
such good meal that on receiving patronage from the neighbors he at- 
tached a horse power to it and conducted the mill business in that man- 
ner for several years. 

About the year 1843 Edward Hunt and Joseph Hunt built a dam 
across Big Creek near the south line of the county and put up a small 
corn mill which was a great convenience to that part of the county, and 
they did a good business for a number of years. Joseph Hunt was a 
blacksmith and put up his shop at about the same place in 1841, and he 
did the horseshoeing and mending of plows, wagons and other farm im- 
plements for many years and was a very useful citizen. 

James Watson came from Indiana about the year 1841 and erected 
a mill on Big Creek in Daviess County a few miles south of Harrison 
County which was largely pa/tronized and by citizens of this county for 
a good many years. 

At an early day Noah Snell built a mill on Big Creek where the 
village of Brooklyn now stands. This was perhaps the best mill ever 
built on that stream and for nearly thirty years did a good business 
grinding corn and wheat. 

Dr. E. B. Bush built a mill on Big Creek a few miles above Snell's 
mill which ground corn and sawed lumber. It was kept up by the 
doctor for about twenty-five years. Big Creek was a rapid stream and 
not well suited for mill purposes. The water frequently got too low for 
mill purposes, but in times of great rains and overflows from the extent 
of territory it drained it would become very high and swift, so it was 
difficult to erect dams that could withstand the floods, and the pro- 
prietors were put to great expense and trouble keeping them in repair. 
So all the mills on the creeks were finally abandoned. The Hunt and 
Watson mills were washed out and abandoned long before the Civil War 
and about 1880 all had been finally given up and abandoned. 

Arthur Charlton erected a mill on Big Creek a few miles north of 
Bethany at an early day, where they ground com and sawed lumber. It 
was continued by Mr. Gates and Mr. Barnes for several years. 

Peter Cain was an early settler in Mercer County not far east of 
Cainsville which is named after him. At an early day he built a mill 
on Grand River which he kept up and made of it a good grist and saw 



150 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

mill. It proved to be an excellent investment and a good location for a 
mill and did a good business. 

C. L. and E. M. Jennings started the first steam mill at Bethany 
about 1851. It was then used to grind corn and saw lumber. They 
continued to run this at odd times, adding and mending parts for about 
fifteen years, when it was sold to Henry S. Laney, who added wheat 
buhrs and carding and spinning machinery. This mill was later de- 
stroyed by fire. 

The first modem mill which was operated in Harrison County was 
by the McClure brothers at Bethany. They began operations here in 
1878 and in 1887 installed a roller process, which was the first of its kind 
in the county. This was an up-to-date mill and had a capacity of about 
fifty barrels of flour per day. They also operated a carding and spinning 
mill in connection with the flour mill and manufactured woolen goods. 

It is said that the winter of 1842-43 was the coldest and longest 
ever known by the white man in this country. That fall the Harris mill 
froze up and so remained until the last of March. The snow was very 
deep, and of course the roads were not good. There were not enough 
settlers to keep them open and in good condition and the "gritters" again 
had to be brought into use. Some jocularly called them the "armstrong" 
mill, and others spoke of the process as "planing meal," but whatever 
called and however primitive it was good business for hungry people and 
these were a people who could and did devise means to help themselves. 
Harris mill had plenty of patronage as soon as the winter broke. It io 
said his extreme honesty in the matter of taking toll kept him poorer 
than most millers usually are. 



CHAPTER XII 



ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY. 



BOUNDARIES OF HARRISON COUNTY— LOCATION— CREATED IN 1S45— DESCRIBED- 
STATE LINE IN DISPUTE — SURVEYED AND MARKED — COUNTY NAMED IN 
HONOR OF HON. ALBERT G. HARRISON— A PART OF THE FOURTH CONGRES- 
SIONAL DISTRICT— FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT — COUNTY SEAT COMMISSION- 
ERS — COUNTY SEAT LOCATED — PLATTED — FIRST NAME OF COUNTY SEAT- 
LATER CHANGED — FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS SELECTED. 

Harrison County is one of the northern tier of counties, joining 
Iowa on the north, Mercer and Grundy Counties on the east, Daviess 
County on the south and Gentry and Worth Counties on the west. In 
the tier it is the sixth county west of the Mississippi River, the fourth 
county east and north of the Missouri River and the second county east 
of the Platte Purchase. It is centrally located in the celebrated Grand 
River country. The territory embraced within the limits of Harrison 
County originally formed a part of Daviess County and remained such 
until created a separate jurisdiction by an act of the General Assembly 
approved March 28, 1845. 

That act in section 18 described the boundaries of Harrison County 
as follows: "Beginning at the northeast comer of Daviess County, 
thence north on the range line between ranges 25 and 26 twenty-four 
miles, thence due west to the range line between ranges 29 and 30, thence 
south on said range line to the northwest comer of Daviess County; 
thence east along the northern boundary line of Daviess County to the 
beginning." The northern boundary line of Daviess County is described 
in section 14 of the same act as follows: from "The northeast corner of 
section 36 in township 62 in range 26, thence west on said section line 
to the northwest corner of section 31 of township 62 of range 29. 

The state line between the states of Missouri and Iowa was then in 
dispute and the district north of township 65 for a distance of about 
twelve miles was then called the "disputed territory." The state line 



152 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

was settled and permanently located in 1850 and iron stakes six inches 
square and six feet long were planted along the line at intervals of 
ten miles. 

On March 1, 1851, the territory between the former county limits 
and the state line was added to the county, it becoming then a little over 
thirty miles long and twenty-four miles wide, the area of the county being 
a little more than 720 square miles. But as the state line does not run 
exactly with the section line, but bears a little southward, running west, 
the true area of the county is about 456,000 acres of land. 

The county was named in honor of Hon. Albert G. Harrison, of 
Callaway County, Missouri, who was a representative in Congress from 
the second congressional district of Missouri from 1834 to 1839, dying 
in the latter year. 

The county when organized became a part of the Fourth Congres- 
sional District, and of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, provision being then 
made for the holding of terms of the circuit court in the county on the 
Thursday after the third Monday in April and October of each year. 

Shortly after the organization of the county Edward Smith, of De- 
Kalb County, and John Gibson and Ebenezer Wood, of Gentry County, 
were appointed commissioners to select the site for the county seat. 

These gentlemen spent some time in viewing the country and selected 
the place where Bethany now is for the county seat. This was on the 
banks of Big Creek and it would seem that they were governed in the 
selection by consideration of the convenience of wood, water and stone, 
as well as the fact that it was near the then geographical center of 
the county. 

At the May term, 1845, of the county court an order was made 
allowmg each of these commissioners for eight days' service at $2.00 per 
day, $16.00 for each commissioner, which were the first warrants issued 
by the county court. 

The county court at this term appointed John S. Allen county seat 
commissioner to have the brush cleared off the site for the county seat 
and to have some lots laid off. John Plaster, then the county surveyor 
of Gentry County, was employed by Mr. Allen to lay off the town and 
fifteen blocks were laid off by him, being five blocks east and west and 
three blocks north and south, the court house square being in the center. 
The streets running north and south were four rods wide and the streets 
running east and west were three rods wide. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 153 

The plat of the first survey of the county seat (then called Dallas) 
was reported to the county court at the June term, 1845 thereot, and it 
was then approved and adopted and the county seat commissioner was 
authorized and directed to sell lots. 

At that term the account of John S. Allen for $30,371/2 for expenses 
of having the brush cleared off the ground for the survey was presented 
and allowed. 

The settlers did not like the name of the county seat to be Dallas 
and at the November term, 1845, the county officers took a vote on the 
naming of the town which resulted in the choice of Bethany, and the 
name was thus changed accordingly. 

The first meeting of the settlers to select county officers was held 
at Phil Harris's mill, at which about fifty voters were present and the 
persons selected by them were recommended to the governor for appoint- 
ment. Lewis Charlton, Asaph Butler and Samuel Edmiston were selected 
for county court justices, John W. Brown was chosen sheriflF and Thomas 
Flint circuit and county clerk, all of whom were duly commissioned by 
the governor. They met pursuant to appointment on May 5, 1845, for 
the purpose of formally organizing the county and putting in motion 
its machinery. 



CHAPTER XIII 



FIRST OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 



FIRST COUNTY COURT HELD UNDER A TREE— OPENING PROCEEDINGS— ENTRIES 
IN THE RECORDS — TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES FIXED — FIRST PROBATE BUSI- 
NESS—SECOND SESSION HELD IN JUNE. 1845— JOHN S. ALLEN APPOINTED 
COUNTr SEAT COMMISSIONER— OTHER OFFICIALS APPOINTED— ROAD FUND 
—OTHER RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS — HIGHWAYS LAID OUT— SALE OF 
LOTS AUTHORIZED— BILLS ORDERED PAID— DIGGING A PUBLIC WELL- 
TAXES — FIRST OFFICERS. 

The county court held its first session under a big tree on the west 
bank of Big Creek near Harris mill and many citizens were present, 
being deeply interested and attracted by the novelty of the situation. 
The opening proceedings were duly formal, proclamation of the opening 
being made by Sheriff Brown in his usual dignified manner and with a 
solemnity befitting the occasion. Samuel Edmiston was chosen presid- 
ing justice and the court then proceeded to the transaction of such busi- 
ness as came within the sphere of its jurisdiction. 

In the little, faded, stained book of record of this meeting appear 
the following entries: 
"State of Missouri, County of Harrison: 

"Be it remembered that at a county court begun and held at Harris's 
mill on the 5th day of May, 1845, were present Hon. Samuel Edmiston, 
Asaph Butler and Lewis Charlton, justices of said county court, and 
Thomas Flint, clerk. 

"John W. Brown presents the account of Ebenezer Wood for eight 
days' sei-vice in locating the seat of justice of Harrison County at $2.00 
per day. Ordered by the court that the account be allowed and a war- 
rant issued on the treasurer for the same. The accounts of Edward 
Smith and John Gibson for similar services were also presented by Sheriff 
Brown and after due investigation the court ordered waiTants drawn 
on the treasurer in their favor therefor. 

"Thomas Flint and John W. Brown both tendered in open court 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 155 

their resignations as justices of the peace of North Township and both 
were accepted. 

"Ordered by the court that Heniy Fuller be and he hereby is ap- 
pointed county treasurer for Harrison County to serve as such until his 
successor is appointed and qualified." 

At the same session the court fixed the boundaries of municipal 
townships, Madison, Butler and Dallas, appointed Shepherd Hulse con- 
stable for Dallas and by order entered of record adjourned until the 
.':econd Monday in June. 

At this time in our history there were no separate probate courts, 
the county court being- then invested with that class of jurisdiction. On 
May 26, 1845, in vacation, the county court was convened by call to con- 
sider the application of John W. Brown for letters of administration 
upon the estates of John W. Stevens and Thomas Brown, deceased, of 
Harrison County, and the record recites: "The said John W. Brown 
having complied with the law in said cases provided, it is ordered that 
letters of administration issue accordingly." 

The regular June term, 1845, was held at the residence of David 
Buck, near Bethatiy, and it appears from the records that there were 
present the justices, Samuel Edmiston, Asaph Butler and Lewis Charl- 
ton, also Thomas Flint, clerk, and John W. Brown, sheriff. It was 
ordered of record that John S. Allen be appointed county seat commis- 
sioner to survey and sell the lota in the town of Dallas, the present 
county seat, who thereupon entered into bond and security to the gover- 
nor in the sum of $1,000, for the faithful discharge of the duties of the 
position. 

An order was made appointing Vincent Smith justice of the peace 
tor Dallas Township to hold said office until the next general election. 
A. B. Hardin and Samuel Allen were appointed justices of the peace and 
Thomas L. Frame was appointed to draw the road fund, amounting to 
$198.78, in accordance with the apportionment made by the treasurer 
and auditor of public accounts. William Roberson was appointed guar- 
dian and curator of the person and property of Mary C. Taylor. 

Thomas L. Frame was appointed county attorney for the term of 
one year and he was instructed to act as agent in procuring the neces- 
sary books and records for the use of the county. Special elections were 
ordered held in the different municipal townships and judges appointed 
for same. 



156 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

John W. Brown was ordered to settle with the county court of Daviess 
County for the "purpose of ascertaining the amoulit of revenue belong- 
ing to Harrison County." 

License was granted to Dennis Clancey to keep a grocery at Fuller's 
mill on Big Creek for six months, commencing June 10, 1845, for which 
the sum of $10.00 was imposed as a tax for the use of the county. 

At that time licenses to sell liquor in certain prescribed quantities 
were by law issued to tavern keepers, to groceries and to dramshops. 
A dramshop keeper was one permitted by law, being licensed to sell in- 
toxicating liquors in less quantity than a quart. 

A grocer was one permitted by law to sell goods, ware and mer- 
chandise (all kinds of dry goods excepted) and intoxicating liquors in any 
quantity not less than a quart. Taverns were under same restrictions 
as grocers as to sale of liquors. 

At this term of the court there appears upon the record the folio \!ving 
entry : "Ordered that the order made at the May term appointing Henry 
Fuller county treasurer be and the same is hereby rescinded. Ordered 
that David Buck be appointed county treasurer of Harrison County by 
executing bond and security to be approved by the court." An adjourn- 
ment was then made to meet at the home of David Buck on the last 
Monday in June. 

At the next regular session John S. Allen, commissioner of the 
county seat, presented to the court a report of plat and survey of the 
town of Dallas and was allowed the sum of $30.37 V2 for superintending 
the clearing off and surveying the same. 

It was also ordered that the revenue of Harrison County for 
county purposes be double that of the state revenue on all objects of 
taxation, including the tax on grocers' and merchants' license. At the 
same term the name of the county seat was changed from that of 
Dallas to Bethany, the tax book returned by 0. P. Green, assessor, was 
ordered received and approved and John S. Allen was appointed com- 
missioner to contract for the building of a court house in the town 
of Bethany. 

At the July term, 1845, a petition was presented to the court by 
Samuel Alley signed by a number of citizens and householders praying 
for the appointment of viewers to view and mark out a highway from 
Bethany to intersect the county line at section 35, township 62, com- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 157 

mencing at Bethany and running to section 35, township 62. Samuel 
Alley, E. T. Ellis and John S. Allen were appointed viewers on the same. 
John G. Conduit, Robert Perry and David Buck were appointed to view 
a road from Bethany in the direction of Trenton in Grundy County via 
Joseph Jones's farm in Sugar Ridge Township. Edward Hunt, James 
Mitchell and James Taylor were appointed viewers on a public road 
leading from Bethany in the direction of Hunt's mill and for like ser- 
vices on a public road leading from the county seat to Taylor's Grove. 
C. L. Jennings, William Long and Stephen C. Allen were appointed 
viewers. 

John S. Allen was authorized to sell lots in the county seat at private 
sale and the allotting justices of the various township made report of 
road districts in the same. 

At the regular June term, 1845, of the county court L. D. Thompson, 
Henry Fuller and Jacob Brown were appointed as allotting justices for 
the townships of Butler, Dallas and Sugar Ridge, respectively. 

Under the law at that time it was provided that the county court 
of each county shall, as often as it may become necessary, appoint one 
or more justices of the peace in each township in the county whose duty 
it shall be to lay off the several roads therein into road districts of con- 
venient lengths, numbering them, and make returns of such divisions 
with their numbers to the county court. It was further provided to be 
the duty of such justices to allot the hands subject to work on roads 
among the overseers of the several road districts, hence the name of 
"allotting" justices. 

Dr. John Cravens was allowed $12.50 for medical services rendered 
in life to Thomas Brown, now deceased, and John W. Brown presented 
his report of settlement with Daviess County. 

At the September, October and November terms, 1845, the county 
court exercised probate jurisdiction in the estates of James Michaels, 
Sarah Michaels and Lewis Michaels, infant heirs of Daniel Michaels (de- 
ceased) by appointing Edward Hunt the guardian and curator of their 
persons and property, also by the allowance of claims against the estates 
of Thomas Brown, John W. Stevenson and John Edmiston 

At the October term John W. Brown, sheriff and ex-ofRcio collector, 
made settlement with the court for the tax books for the year 1845. 
He was charged with : 



158 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The amount of the tax books for the year $296.76 

Credit by dehnquent list $37.38 

Credit by commission for services 10.00 47.38 



Credit by balance to treasurer $249.38 

In January, 1846, the term was held at the residence of David Buck 
and William P. Allen was appointed sheriff of Harrison County. Various 
highways in different parts of the county were ordered opened. A fur- 
ther settlement was had with the collector. 

In March, 1846, Charles M. Scott was allowed $3.15 for holding an 
inquest on the body of John W. Stevens and a dramshop license was 
granted to Martin Jennings for $20.00 to keep a dramshop in Bethany 
for six months. 

At the May term, 1846, a vacancy having occurred in the office of 
county clerk by the death of Thomas Flint, John S. Allen was appointed 
clerk to fill the vacancy. 

An appropriation was made for digging a public well in Bethany 
and a license granted to E. S. Hughes to keep a grocery at Fuller's mill 
for a period of six months. In the fall of 1846 a new county court was 
elected, Thomas Dunkerson, Stephen C. Allen and Elkanah Glover being 
the justices, Thomas Dunkerson being the presiding judge. They held 
their first meeting in November and transacted a large amount of 
business. 

The county taxes for 1846 were $308.76 ; delinquent tax and sheriff's 
compensation $27.77; amount to county treasurer, $280.99. 

In Februaiy, 1847, the records show settlement by David Buck, 
county treasurer, as follows: 

"David Buck presents his papers for settlement, and by reference 
to books and warrants he stands charged with amount received of sheriff, 
$280.99; credit by amount paid for county warrants, $276.04; balance 
on hand, $4.95; credit by services as treasurer, $4.95. 

First Officers of the County Court. 

Hon. Samuel Edmiston, the first presiding judge, was a native of 
North Carolina and an early settler of Missouri, moving to what is now 
Butler Township, Harrison County, in 1842. He was a man of excellent 
judgment and during a long period of residence in Harrison County 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 159 

won and retained a prominent place in the estimation of the people. 
Honest and upright in all his dealings, he discharged all his duties as 
presiding justice acceptably, as is attested by the fact that his official 
course never provoked criticism or censure. He died on his farm in 
Butler Township. 

Aseph M. Butler was born in Vermont. He came to Harrison County 
in 1840, locating in Cypress Township, where he died. He took an active 
part in the county organization alid was chosen justice on account of 
his peculiar fitness for the position, being a man of good judgment and 
practical business sense. At the expiration of his term Mr. Butler 
abandoned public life and never asked nor sought political preferment 
at the hands of his acquaintances. He was a typical gentleman of the 
old school and justly regarded as one of Harrison County's most worthy 
pioneers. Oscar Butler, a prominent young la\vyer who died at Bethany, 
Missouri, in 1886 whilst holding the office of prosecuting attorney, was 
the youngest son of Judge Butler. Norton Butler, a prominent farmer 
of Grant Township, was another son, as was Albert Butler, of Cypress 
ToviTiship. Mrs. Thomas Allen, now living in Bethany, and Mrs. Bernard 
Austin Brown were daughters of Judge Butler. 

Lewis Charlton came to Harrison County prior to 1840. He was 
one of the first settlers in what is now Sherman Township. He was a 
quiet, unassuming man and as a member of the first county court won 
the respect of his fellow citizens by his earnest efforts in behalf of the 
county's interests. He possessed good business ability and is remem- 
bered as one of the worthy pioneers of Harrison County. His sons, 
Tom and John L., will be remembered well by the citizens of that portion 
of the county. 

Thomas Flint, first clerk of the county and circuit courts, came to 
Missouri from Indiana early in the forties and settled about three miles 
southeast of the present site of Bethany. The early records show him 
to have been a man of fine clerical ability and he appears to have stood 
well with the people^ He was chosen clerk at the organization of the 
county and served well until his death in the spring of 1846. 



CHAPTER XIV 



TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 



FIRST DIVISION OF TOWNSHIPS— BUTLER. MADISON AND DALLAS THE FIRST- 
SUGAR CREEK— BETHANY— TRAIL CREEK— WASHINGTON— UNION— WHITE 
OAK — CYPRESS — CLAY — LINCOLN — GRANT — TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION — 
ELECTION— OTHER TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED TO CORRESPOND vmU CON- 
GRESSIONAL TOWNSHIPS— TOWNS AND VILLAGES— BETHANY— CAINSVILLE— 
RIDGEWAY— OILMAN CITY'— NEW HAMPTON— EAGLEVILLE— MOUNT MORIAH 
—BLYTHEDALE— MELBOURNE— OTHER VILLAGES. 

Among the first acts of the coirnty court was the division of the 
county into municipal townships. The first division was into Madison, 
Butler and Dallas Townships. 

The boundaries of Madison Township as described in the records 
were as follows: Beginning at a point where the state road from Savan- 
nah to Moscow crosses the line between Harrison and Mercer Counties, 
thence westwardly with the said state road to the summit of the divide 
between Big Creek and the east fork of Grand River; thence with the 
divide northwardly to the state line, thence east \vith the state line to 
the northeast corner of the county, thence south with the county line to 
the place of beginning. 

Butler Township, named in honor of Aseph M. Butler, included an 
area with the following boundaries: Beginning at the county line on the 
divide between Cypress and Hickory Creeks, thence north with the di- 
vide six miles to the line between sections 25 and 36, thence west with 
said line to the west side of the county, thence south with the county 
line to the southwest corner of the county, thence east to the place of 
beginning. 

Dallas Township, subsequently changed to Bethany Township, had this 
boundary : Beginning at the northeast corner of Butler Township, thence 
north with the divide to the state line, thence west with the state line to 
the northwest corner of the county, thence south to the northwest comer 





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PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, CAINSVILLE. MO. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 161 

of Butler Township, thence east with said township line to the place of 
beginning. 

At the June term, 1845, Sugar Creek Township was created, bounded 
as follows: Beginning at a point where the state road leading from 
Savannah to Moscow crosses the Harrison and Mercer County line, thence 
west with said road to the summit of divide between Big Creek and 
Grand River, thence south with the divide to the county line between 
Harrison and Daviess Counties, thence east with the county line to the 
southeast corner of the county, thence north with the county line to the 
place of beginning. 

At the May term, 1846, upon petitio'n of numerous citizens, it was 
"ordered that all that part of Bethany Township lying north of town- 
ships 64 and 65 be created a separate and distinct municipal township 
to be known and designated by the name of Marion." 

Trail Creek Township was created at the December term, 1855, as 
follows: Ordered that all that portion of Sugar Creek Township lying 
north of the following line, to-wit: Beginning at the southeast corner 
of section 12, township 63, range 26, thence west on section line to the 
line dividing Bethany and Sugar Creek Townships, be and is hereby 
organized into a municipal township to be known by the name of and 
called Trail Creek Township. 

This is an order made at the March term, 1856, that the following 
bounds be and are hereby set off into a municipal township, congres- 
sional townships 65, 66 and the fractional part of 67, range 29, to be 
known by the name of Washington. 

Union Township was created fn 1858 as follows: Beginning at the 
northwest corner of section 19, township 64, range 28, thence running 
east on section line eleven miles, thence north six miles with section 
line, thence west to the northwest corner of section 19, township 65, 
range 28, thence south with range line to place of beginning. 

At September term, 1860, White Oak Township was ci'eated as fol- 
lows: All of congressional township 63, range 29, be and is hereby organ- 
ized a municipal township, to be known by the name and called White 
Oak Township. 

In September, 1858, Cypress Township was organized, its bound- 
ary as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 35 in town- 
ship 62 in range 27 at the county line, thence west on the section line 
to the middle of the main channel of Big Creek, thence down the main 
(6) 



162 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

channel of Big Creek to the county line, thence east on the county line 
to the place of beginning. 

Clay Township — ^At the March term, 1858, it was ordered that all 
that portion of Marion Township lying of the line dividing townships 
65 and 66 be and is hereby set off into a separate municipal township to 
be known by the style and name of Cl^y Township. 

Lincoln was created in July, 1865, with boundaries as follows: Com- 
mencing at the northeast corner of section 36, township 67, range 29 on 
the Iowa line, thence running south six miles to the southeast comer 
of section 25 in township 66 in Harrison County, Missouri, thence west 
to the county line between Harrison and Worth Counties at the south- 
west comer of section 30, thence north to the Iowa state line at the 
northwest corner of section 31, thence east to the place of beginning. 
At the April term, 1866, the boundaries of the above townships were 
variously modified, and at the ensuing May term the outlines of Sugar 
Creek and Trail Creek Townships were materially changed. 

From 1866 to 1872 no new townships were created, but in June, 
1872, the court organized the township of Grant by a division of Union 
Township, with boundaries as follows: Commencing at range line be- 
tween township 64, ranges 27 and 28 at the southwest comer of section 
18, township 64, range 27 and the southeast comer of section 13, town- 
ship 64, range 28, thence north to the northwest corner of section 19, 
township 65, range 27, thence south on section line to the southeast 
corner of section 14, township 64, range 27, thence to the place of be- 
ginning. 

In June, 1872, the county court, upon a proper petition, ordered that 
the question of township organization should be submitted to a vote of 
the people at the general election in November of that year. The elec- 
tion was held on November 5," 1872, and resulted as follows: There were 
oast for township organization 1,988 votes, and against it 636 votes; 
majority in favor of township organization 1,352. 

Immediately after the election the county court, by the power 
vested in it by the township organization law, divided the county into 
twenty municipal townships, making them coiTespond with the congres- 
sional sui-vey, and so they remain to this day. 

Sugar Creek Township consists of all that part of congressional 
township 62, range 26, being and lying within Harrison County. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 163 

Fox Creek Towaiship consists of all of congressional township 63, 
range 26. 

Trail Creek Township is all of congressional township 64, range 26. 

Madison comprises all of congressional township 65, range 26. 

Clay Township consists of all of congressional township 66, range 
26, and that part of township 67, range 26, that lies in Harrison County. 

Colfax Township is all of congressional township 66, range 27 and 
that part of township 67, range 27, lying in Harrison Coulity. 

Marion Township is township 65, range 27, of congressional sui-vey. 

Grant is congressional township 64, range 27. 

Sherman embraces all of congressional township 63, range 27. 

Adams is congressional township 62, range 27, lying within Harri- 
son County, Missouri. 

Cypress is that part of township 62, range 28, lying within Harri- 
son County. 

Bethany is all of township 63, range 28. 

Jefferson is congressional township 64, range 28. 

Union is congressional township 65, range 28. 

Hamilton embraces all of township 66, range 28, and that part of 
township 67, range 28, lying within Harrison County . 

Lincoln embraces all of congressional township 66, range 29, and 
that part of township 67, range 29, lying within Harrison County. 

Washington is congressional township 65, range 29. 

Dallas is township 64, range 29. 

White Oak is congressional township 63, range 29. 

Butler is all that part of congressional township 62, range 29, lying 
within Harrison County. 

By the township organization as adopted in 1872 it was provided 
that the county court should consist of the supervisors of the townships, 
one from each township, but an act of the regular session of the Twenty- 
seventh General Assembly, approved March 24, 1873, so amended the 
township organization law as to require the county court to consist of 
five .nidges, one a presiding judge elected at large, and four, one from 
each of four districts into which the county was divided. 

It does not appear that Harrison County ever organized a county 
court of the supervisors. At the June term, 1873, the Record of County 
Court Book "E" at page 221 recites that "Court met pursuant to ad- 



164 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

joumment. Present: Joseph F. Bryant, presiding judge; Joseph P. 
Bailey, of first district; James B. Brown, of second district; Milton 
Burris, of third district, and Franklin R. Quigley, of fourth district, 
associate justices. Said judges having been elected May 3, 1873, and com- 
suance of an act of the Legislature approved March 24, 1873, and com- 
missioned by the governor May 19, 1873, commissions iiled and judges 
qualified June 2, 1873." 

This township organization law was repealed by an act of the Gen- 
eral Assembly approved March 5, 1877, and the government of the county 
then fell back under the general law, and so remained until the town- 
ship organization law enacted in 1899 was later adopted in Harrison 
County. 

At the May term, 1906, of the county court a requisite petition was 
filed for submission to the vote of the people of the township organiza- 
tion law as defined in Chapter 168 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri 
of 1899 as amended in 1901-03 and 1905, which petition was by the 
court found sufficient and the submission ordered at the general election 
to be held November 5, 1906, and the vote then taken thereon resulted 
in its adoption, the vote for being 2,800 and the vote against 202, and 
the county yet remains under to%VTiship organization. 

Cities, Towns and Villages. 

Harrison County is well supplied with a number of towns and vil- 
lages which are well distributed throughout the county, affording un- 
usual conveniences for trading points. 

Bethany, the county seat, is the largest town in the county. It is 
located on the Burlington Railroad in Bethany Township. The principal 
religious denominations are here represented and Bethany has been known 
for many years for the high standard of its schools. The principal streets 
are paved and the town has a good water and sewerage system and a 
municipal electric light plant. Banking and all business and professions 
are well represented and Bethany is a thriving commercial town. Its 
population, according to the census of 1920, was 2,080. 

Cainsville, the second largest town in the county, has a population 
of 1,050. Cainsville is located in the extreme eastern part of Madison 
Township near the Mercer County Line on Grand River. For many years 
coal mines were operated in its vicinity. The town commands an extensive 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 165 

trade from a large scope of surrounding country both in Harrison and 
Mercer Counties. There is a weekly newspaper published here. Banks 
and other business enterprises are well represented. There are a number 
of churches representing the principal religious denominations and the 
town has a good public school system. Cainsville is located at the terminal 
of a branch of the Burlington Railroad which connects with the main line 
of that system in Iowa. 

Ridgeway is located on the Burlington Railroad on the dividing line 
between Marion and Grant Townships. The town site occupies a portion 
of section 33 in Marion Township and portions of sections 3 and 4 in Grant 
Township. Ridgeway has two banks, an excellent hotel, and practically 
all branches of mercantile business are represented here. The school 
system of Ridgeway ranks high. The population of Ridgeway is 812 and 
it is one of the progressing and enterprising business centers of Harri- 
.son County. 

Gilman City has a population of 618 and is located on section 30 in 
the Southeastern corner of Sugar Creek Township. The Quincy, Omaha 
& Kansas City Railway, which is a part of the Burlington System, passes 
through Gilman City. This is a progressive town of churches, good schools 
and enterprising business and professional men. 

New Hampton, which is located on the Burlington Railroad on sec- 
tions 7 and 8 in White Oak Township, is a live business center and an 
important shipping point. There are two banks, two elevators and a num- 
ber of progressive merchants here. New Hampton has a population of 
519 and its schools are among the best in Harrison County. 

Eagleville is one of the old towns of the county and since its estab- 
lishment has maintained an important commercial position, notwith- 
standing the fact that it is not on a railroad. Its nearest railroad is at 
Bdythedale, a distance of about four miles. Eagleville has a bank, an 
excellent high school and several important mercantile establishments 
■ and is in the center of a rich agricultural country. The town site occupies 
a part of section 6 of Marion Township and section 1 of Union Township 
and the population in 1920 was 340. 

Mount Moriah, another inland town of Harrison County which has 
maintained a position of local commercial importance despite the fact that 
it was "missed" by the railroad has a population of 331 and is located in 
.■sections 22 and 23 of Trail Creek Township. The town has a bank and 



166 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

several stores and for many years has commanded an extensive trade 
from the surrounding country. 

Blythedale, a thriving village of 294 population on the Burlington Rail- 
road is located on sections 34 and 35 in Colfax Township. This is an im- 
portant trading and shipping point and has some of the leading mercantile 
establishments of the county and the banking interests are represented 
here by one of the substantial banks of the county. Blythedale has a 
number of churches and is known for the excellency of its public schools. 

Melbourne, a town located on the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City Rail- 
road in Sugar Creek Township has a population of 159 and is a progressive 
village. There is a bank and mercantile establishments here. 

Other villages of Harrison County where business centers are main- 
tained are Brooklyn, which is located on section 27, Union Township, and 
has a population of eighty-four ; Atidover, a village on the Burlington Rail- 
road in Colifax Township; Akron, an inland village in Clay Township; 
Blue Ridge, in Adams Township ; Bridgeport, Cypress Township ; Hatfield, 
Lincoln Township ; Martinsville, Dallas Township ; Matkins, Butler Town- 
ship and Pawnee, Hamilton Township. 

The population of Harrison County is 19,719, census of 1920. 



CHAPTER XV 



EARLY RECORDS. 



FIRST INSTRUMENT ON RECORD— FIRST DEED— SECOND DEED— THIRD CONVEY- 
ANCE OF REAL, ESTATE— THE FIRST MORTGAGE— COLLECTORS BOND— LIST 
OF EARLY MARRIAGES— PETITION TO ENFORCE ACT RESTRAINING DOMES- 
TIC ANIMALS FROM RUNNING AT LARGE — THE VOTE. 

The first instrument on record in the circuit clerk's office is a letter of 
attorney by Prudence Fox of Whitley County, Kentucky, appointing "her 
friend James Faulkner of Livingston County, Missouri, to attend to all 
matters pertaining to the settlement of the estate of her son Sampson 
Fox" of the latter county and state, the writing bearing date November, 
1845. 

Following the above appears a warranty deed "for a certain track, 
piece or parcel of land situated, lying and being in the County of Harrison 
and State of Missouri, to-wit: the southeast quarter of the southeast 
quarter of Section No. 5, Township 62, Range 28, containing forty acres 
more or less" sold by Benjamin Taylor to William Cummings for $200.00 
and acknowledged February 26, 1846 before Elkanah Timmons, a Justice 
of the Peace. 

The second deed bears date of January, 1846, and is for "ten acres 
of land off of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 
Seven (7) Township 62 Range 28 in the district of land sold at Plattsburg, 
Missouri," conveyed by John G. Musick and his wife, Mary Musick, to J. 
D. Hardin for a consideration of $40.00. 

The third conveyance of real estate was made by Reuben and Sarah 
Tilley, who, for a consideration of $1,000.00, sold to Michael Fleenor a tract 
of land containing 463 acres more or less, situated in the southern part 
of the county. Michael Fleenor then deeds to Reuben Tilley an equal 
number of acres in the same part of the county for $1,500.00 the last in- 
strument bearing date February 23, 1846. 



168 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The first mortgage upon record in the county was given by Jeremiah 
Young to Reuben Tilley for $100.00 on the west half of the northeast 
quarter of Section 31, Township 63, Range 29, dated November, 1846. 

Among the earhest instruments of record was the bond of Henry 
Fuller as collector of Harrison County, made on August 10, 1846, and 
recorded during the ensuing month. The material part of the bond is 
woi'ded as follows : Know all men by these presents, that I, Henry Fuller, 
principal and Thomas Tucker, E. S. Hughes, James Fuller, David Harris 
and William Allen, securities, are held and bound to the State of Missouri 
in the sum of $1,000.00 to the payment of which we bind ourselves, our 
heirs, executors, etc. ; the condition of the obligation being such "that the 
said Henry Fuller does faithfully and punctually collect atid pay over all 
the state and county revenue for the two years next ensuing the first day 
of September thereafter. And that he will in all things faithfully perform 
all the duties of the office of collector according to law, then this obligation 
1o be void, otherwise to remain in full force and eff'ect." 

The following is a list of the earliest marriages solemnized in Harrison 
County during the first two years of its history. David C. Bryant and 
Permelia Edmiston married November 6, 1845, by Rev. L. Morgan. Ben- 
jamin Casner and Nancy Miller were united in the holy bonds of wedlock 
on December 26, 1845, by Ivan Lane, Justice of the Peace. Willis Harper 
and Eleanor Williams were on November 11, 1845, made man and wife 
by Charles L. Jennings, a Justice of the Peace. Thomas H. Poynter and 
Susan S. Jenks were married on December 24, 1845 by C. L. Jennings. 

Other early marriages were Elkanah Ratcliff and Catherine Prewet; 
John Spencer and Emily Safter; Matturn Taylor and Mary M. Henson; 
John Taylor and Mary E. McDaniel; Alfred Williams and Sarah Vander- 
pool ; William Allcock and Rebecca Allen ; Joshia J. Allen to Mary Hogan ; 
David Blaketer and Harriet Lawson ; Core Houk and Melinda Dolson ; Levi 
Hunt and Caroline Cummins ; George W. Hanners and Elizabeth Bullington ; 
Jesse Haunn and Saulda Booth ; Archibald M. McDaniel and Jane Daniels ; 
Harden Casmen and Elizabeth Hulse ; Frank M. Brown and Saulda Poynter ; 
John W. Brown and Irene Higgins; Samuel Corister and Nancy Miller; 
William Carver and Tainer Condry; Tobias Deboice and Mary Garner; 
Peter C. Dowell and Hester W. Brown. 

At the August term, 1888, of the County Court action, among other 
things, was had as follows : the record showing, "Comes now J. Walker and 
more than 100 householders of Harrison County, Missouri, and petition the 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 169 

court to cause to be submitted to the qualified voters of said county at the 
next general election the question of enforcing in said county the provi- 
sions of an Act of the Thirty-Second General Assembly of the State of 
Missouri in relation to restraining domestic animals from running at 
large as follows : 

Restraining from running at large all species of cattle, horses, mules, 
asses, swine, sheep and goats in said county. It is therefore ordered by 
the court that the question of enforcing said Act in said county be sub- 
mitted to the qualified voters of said county at the next general election 
to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 1888, at the usual voting places in 
.'laid county and that at said election all ballots voted bearing the written or 
printed words 'For enforcing the law restraining all species of cattle, 
horses, mules, asses, swine, sheep and goats from running at large' shall be 
counted in favor of the provisions of said Act, and that all ballots voted 
bearing the written or printed words 'against enforcing the law restrain- 
ing all species of cattle, horses, mules, asses, swine, sheep and goats from 
running at large' shall be counted against enforcing the provisions of 
said act. And it is further ordered by the court that public notice be 
given that such vote will be taken by publishing a notice of the same in 
a newspaper published in said Harrison County for three weeks con- 
secutively, the last insertion to be at least ten days before the day of such 
election, and by posting up printed notices thereof at three of the most 
public places in each township in said county at least twenty days before 
said election, and the sheriff of said county is hereby ordered and directed 
to post said notices as above stated." 

The record of the November term, 1888, of the County Court shows 
that at the election on November 6, 1888, the law restraining all species 
of cattle, horses, mules, asses, swine, sheep and goats was voted upon 
with the following result: 

For enforcing said Act 2,157 votes 

Against enforcing said Act 1,832 votes 

Majority for 325 votes 



CHAPTER XVI 



CIRCUIT COURT AND BAR. 



FIRST CIRCUIT COURT IN 1846— FIRST ATTORNEYS LICENSED TO PRACTICE— FIRST 
BUSINESS— FIRST SUIT FILED— FIRST TRIALr— THE JURY— THE VERDICT— 
THE SECOND CASE— OTHER BUSINESS— THE GRAND JURY— FINDINGS OF 
THE JURY — INDICTMENTS — ATTORNEYS ADMITTED MARCH TERM, 1847— 
GRAND JURORS — INDICTMENTS FOR "KILLINGS"— TRIALS— FIRST DIVORCE 
SUIT— FIRST FOREIGNER NATURALIZED— PROBATE COURT— PROCEEDINGS- 
FIRST PROBATE JUDGE— THE PIONEER LAWYER— MEMBERS OF THE HAR- 
RISON COUNTY BAR. 

On April 23, 1846, Honorable Austin A. King, judge of the Fifth Judi- 
cial Circuit of Missouri, at the town of Bethany, organized and held the 
first Circuit Court in Harrison County. There were present on that occa- 
sion besides his Honor, the judge, the following officials: George W. Dunn, 
circuit attorney; John W. Brown, sheriff, and John S. Allen, clerk. 

On motion of George W. Dunn, Philip L. Edwards, Charles E. Bowman, 
George W. Poage and Moses Simonds, all being duly licensed according to 
law, were admitted to practice as counselors and attomeys-at-law and 
solicitors in chancery. 

The first business was the return of a state writ of venire facias by 
the sheriff executed upon Eli McDaniel, James Mitchell, Jacob A. Brown, 
Samuel Alley, Lorenzo D. Thompson, William Hamblin, Henry Fuller, 
Thomas Hutchins, Edward L. Ellis, Elkanah Glover, James A. Dale and 
Charles L. Jennings, "fifteen good and lawful men of the County of Harri- 
son aforesaid, as a grand jury and the said Eli McDaniel as foreman, and 
his fellow jurors aforesaid being duly empowered, sworn and charged as 
a grand jury of the State of Missouri for the County of Harrison aforesaid, 
retired to consider their presentments." 

The first suit filed was a case on appeal from a Justice Court in what 
was then North Township. William Lauderback, plaintiff, vs. George Wil- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 171 

liams, defendant. Briefly stated the history of the case as tried before 
Henry Fuller, Justice of the Peace, is as follows : It appears that the said 
George Williams from some cause committed the flagrant act of killing 
a canine belonging to the said Lauderback, whereupon the latter brought 
suit for damages, trespass, etc., as shown by the following bill of com- 
plaint. "George Williams to William Lauderback debt and damages $25.00 ; 
ten dollars for killing one dog, and ten dollars damage for killing one 
dog, and ten dollars damage for killing one dog and wounding another dog, 
and for trespassing on my property. William Lauderback." 

The above bill of charges was filed April 30, 1845, and on the 13th 
day of the succeeding month, the trial took place before a jury composed 
of the following yeomen, to-wit : Abraham Endsley, Elkanah Golver, Allen 
Hubbard, James Ramey and Shephard Hunter. The trial excited no little 
interest in the community and nearly all the citizens of the neighborhood 
were subpoenaed as witnesses. 

The defense was ably conducted by Elder John S. AUen, but despite 
all his efi'orts in behalf of his client the plaintifl" by solemn oath as 
well as by the testimony of several reputable witnesses established beyond 
a reasonable doubt the "good character" of the murdered canine, besides 
proving the killing to have "been done without just cause or provocation." 
The jury after carefully weighing all the evidence of the case agreed upon 
the following verdict : 

"We, as jurors, dew fine verdick in favor of the plantif five dollars 
damage, and costs. A. B. Endsley, Foreman." 

The defendant feeling aggrieved by this verdict and thinking justice 
had not been accorded to him. in the trial, filed the following appeal to the 
Circuit Court: 

"You will take notis that I have taken an appeal from the judgment 
of Henry Fuller, Esq., obtained against me in your favor in an action of 
debt damage and trespass on the 13th day of May, 1845, to the Circuit Court 
of Harrison County, to be held on Thursday after the third Monday in 
April, 1845, it being the 23rd day of the month. 

"George Williams, Defendant. 
"Charies M. Scott, Security." 

In the Circuit Court the plaintiff filed his motion to dismiss the appeal 
on account of the insufficiency of the security for the appeal which was 
overruled by the judge: "The defendant files his motion to dismiss the 



172 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

plaintiff's suit which motion being heard by the court is sustained." "It 
is therefor ordered by the court that the suit be dismissed and that said 
defendant recover of the said plaintiff his costs as well in this court as in 
the Justice's court below in his behalf expended and that he have execution 
therefor." 

The next cases on the docket were Ansel Terry vs. Samson Alley in 
"assemsit" and James R. Timmons and John D. Timmons vs. Nathan 
Spencer, ejectment, the former continued and the latter dismissed at the 
cost of plaintiff. 

The g-rand jury returned into court the following indictments en- 
dorsed true bills and signed by the foreman, to-wit : Against John Murphey, 
•Jonas Casner, Benjamin Casner, Charles Hauk, John Taylor and Harvey 
Taylor, for a rout, also State against Francis Burrell for larceny. 

John W. Brown presented his account as sheriff for $5.50, after which 
there being no further business, the court adjourned "until court in course." 

The record of the one day's proceedings including the opening and 
adjourning orders and impaneling the grand jury occupy only a little over 
three pages of the record. 

The grand jury for the October term, 1846, was composed of tne 
following men: Samuel Edmiston, Marshall Howell, Robert Ford, Thomas 
Daniel, William R. Allen, William Long, Andrew M. Cox, Thomas Jennings, 
Willis Harper, Abel W. Allen, Robert Young, Lewis Charlton, Edward 
Winkle, Hampton Cox, and James C. Brown. Samuel Edmiston was fore- 
man. The first trial by jury at this term was the State of Missouri against 
Charles Hauk, indicted at the previous term for instigating and participat- 
ing in a "rout" at the town of Bethany. The following are the names of 
the jurors: Thomas Mitchell, Samuel Cox, George Williams, Joseph Young, 
George Hamblin, Stephen C. Allen, John Casebolt, Howell Blaketer, Joseph 
J. Arnold, Thomas Prewett and William Moler. Through their foreman, 
S. C. Allen, reported the following verdict: "We, the jury, find the de- 
fendant guilty as charged and assess his fine at $5.00." "It is therefore 
ordered that the plaintiff recover the fine of $5.00 aforesaid as also the 
costs in this behalf expended and that she have execution therefor, and also 
that the said defendant stand committed until said fine and costs are paid, 
being in court he is put in custody of the sheriff." 

The second jury trial was the State against Francis Burill, indicted for 
larceny at the previous term of the court. The following gentlemen com- 
posed this jury: Stephen C. Allen, James Fuller, A. Thompson, Samson 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 173 

Alley, Michael Fleenor, Thomas Tucker, William N. Ford, Joseph Young, 
Richard Young and Jesse Vail. The verdict was: "We, the jury, find in 
favor of the defendant." 

The grand jury at this term returned indictments against the follow- 
ing persons: Simon Burgin, for peddling clocks without license; Joseph 
Hall, for assault with intent to commit manslaughter; John Vail, for 
selling liquor without license; Francis B. Miller, John A. Scott and Allen 
Scott, for trading with the Indians. 

The case of Ansel Terry vs. Samson Alley continued from the first 
term was disposed of by the court in favor of the plaintiff and damages 
assessed at $181.00. 

At the March term, 1847, the following attorneys and counselors were 
admitted to practice in the courts of Harrison County : Philip L. Edwards, 
Volney E. Bragg and Thomas L. Frame. 

The following served as grand jurors during the term: Aseph M. 
Butler, foreman; Reuben D. Tilley, Thomas Taylor, William Oxford, John 
Oatman, George Noah, Jeremiah S. Young, William M. Selby, Elijah Flem- 
ing, Matthew Franklin, Joseph Young, Norvell Allcock, Isaac Hamer, Eli 
Salmon, Major Daniel and William C. Atkinson. 

They returned indictments for "killmg" against Hill Wortman and 
Lewis Hunt, and against Josiah Spurgin for "murder." The latter case 
occasioned a great deal of interest, being the first event of a sanguinary 
nature that took place in the county. Spurgin was tried by jury, the charge 
being the killing of Jacob Mitchel. The trial was at the March term, 1847. 
He was convicted of manslaughter. Both were intoxicated when the 
killing occurred. 

Simon Burgin was tried at this term for peddling clocks without a 
license and fined $50, which was subsequently commuted to one day's im- 
prisonment on payment of costs. Several other cases of a minor nature 
were disposed of at this term and the record shows that Nathan Spencer 
and Cornelius Murphy were each fined $5.00 for contempt of court. 

The grand jury at the September term, 1847, was made up of the 
following citizens: Charles L. Jennings, David Gaston, Andrew J. Smith, 
Thomas Tucker, Christopher Blessing, Robert Bullington, John Jones, 
Jonathan Booth, William W. Harper, James Ramey, Kader Madden, George 
Williams, William H. Bender, Thomas M. Geer, William Hunter and Ben- 
jamin Ashley. 

There were quite a number of indictments at this term, among which 



174 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

were the following: against Richard Wells, James Johnson, Travis John- 
son, William Johnson and Jeremiah Spurgeon, "for the disturbing the 
peace of a family in the night"; against Richard Wells for "felonious 
assault," and against William Cummins "for aiding the escape of a pris- 
oner," and against James Johnson and Travis Johnson for "an assault." 

At the May term, 1848, the following grand jurors were impaneled: 
J. C. Brown, David Buck, Samuel Alley, William C. Allen, Aaron England, 
George W. Noah, Shepherd Hulse, L. W. H. Cox, Eli McDaniel, Matthew 
L. Franklin, William Mitchell, Thomas Brown, E. L. Ellis, James Mitchell 
and Samuel 0. Jennings. Indictments were returned by them against 
Elijah Williams for trespassing on school land; Elisha Meeker for unlaw- 
fully taking up strays; Lewis Hunt, Armstead Pait, Francis Bunill and 
John W. Casebolt, each for betting. 

The first suit for divorce was tried at the March term, 1850, at which 
time a divorce was granted to Benjamin Mitchell. The next divorce case 
was Joel H. Worthington against Sarah Worthington, tried at the March 
tenn, 1854, and at the same time there was another divorce case of 
Harper vs. Harper. 

The first foreigner naturalized in Harrison County was William Hall, 
a native of England, who came to the United States in 1848 and to Missouri 
in 1851. He renounced his allegiance to his native country and became a 
citizen of the American Republic at the March term, 1853, of the Harrison 
Circuit Court. 

Probate Court. 

The Probate Court of Harrison County was established November 7, 
1853. Honorable William G. Lewis was the judge. Prior to that time all 
probate business was disposed of in the County Court which by statute had 
that jurisdiction. 

The first proceedings of the court after its organization were in 
the case of Anna Endsley vs. Gibson Endsley, administi'ator of estate of 
Samuel Endsley, deceased. These proceedings as shown by the record were 
as follows : 

"Now at this day comes the parties by their attorneys and the said 
plaintiff amkes application to the court as the widow of Samuel Endlsey, 
deceased, for an order compelling said administrator to pay her as such 
widow, the money allowed by law in lieu of personal property allowed to 
her at the appraised value of $200.00. Whereupon the court after hearing 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 175 

the allegations and proofs of the said pai'ties, orders that Gibson Endsley, 
administrator of the estate of Samuel Endsley, deceased, pay to Anna 
Endsley, widow of said deceased, the sum of $89.95 when collected that 
being the amount of said sale of the personal property of deceased." 

Following the above upon the record appears an application of Jacob 
Oxford, administrator of the estate of William Oxford, deceased, for per- 
mission to sell personal property, etc., at private sale "and the court being 
satisfied that such sale will not be prejudicial to persons interested in said 
estate orders the administrator to sell at private sale all property of eaid 
estate at such time as he may see fit and proper." 

The next business was the allowing of a note of $45.21 against the 
estate of Aaron England in favor of Benjamin C. Powell and Jonathan 
Levy, together with all interest upon the same and costs of allowance. 

William G. Lewis served as Probate Judge until 1857 at which time 
John H. Phillebaum was elected to the position. His successor was D. J. 
Heaston, whose term of service expired in 1862. The names of other 
judges will be found in another chapter of this volume in a complete list 
of county officers. 

When Harrison County was organized and the courts instituted there 
were no resident lawyers here as was generally the case in pioneer com- 
munities. However, it was not long until members of the legal profession 
settled here and engaged in the practice of the law. It was the custom in 
the early days for lawyers to travel from county to county, or from one 
district to another to attend court to try cases and in this way leading 
lawyers of these pioneer times covered a large scope of territory in their 
professional capacity. These lawyers v/ere sometimes known as "circuit 
riders." All of the prominent lawyers of the early days thus practiced in 
many counties of the state. 

William G. Lewis, a pioneer lawyer of this county was the first 
resident lawyer of Bethany. He was a native of Greenbrier County, Vir- 
ginia, and came here in 1847. He practiced here until the time of his death 
in 1869. 

The bar of Harrison County has ahvays maintained a high standard 
and some of the ablest lawyers of the state are enrolled among its mem- 
bers. Little is known of some of the early attorneys. Among those of 
whom we have a record are : John R. Moreledge, H. P. Edminston, John H. 
Phillebaum, Orrin Lee Abbott, Thomas J. Brady, William F. Miller, John 
Wyatt, George W. Elwell, T. D. Neal, James McCollum. Andrew Fawcett, 



176 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

J. Frank Ward, Oscar Butler, S. W. Leslie, G. W. Cooper, J. W. Vandivery, 
Samuel W. Vandevert, W. S. McCray, A. R Brown and J. W. Boyle. The 
members of the Harrison County bar since 1888 to the present time are: 
D. J. Heaston, D. S. Alvord, William C. Heaston, F. R. Ramer, Joseph F. 
Bryant, Sr., John M. Sallee, William H. Skinner, George W. Wanamaker, 

A. F. Woodruf, James C. Wilson, George W. Barlow, Ezra H. Frisby, Gen- 
eral B. M. Prentiss, J. R. Kirk, Gilbert Barlow, J. Q. Brown, J. F. Bryany, 
Jr., A. S. Gumming, S. P. Davisson, Frank M. Frisby, W. H. Leasenby, 

B. P. Sigler, Edgar Skinner, Garland Wilson, Dockery Wilson, Randall Wil- 
son, C. S. Winslow, Earle G. Spragg, Rufus Hopkins, A. L. Hughes, Oscar 
W. Curry, A. L. Clabaugh, Roscoe E. Kavanaugh, M. F. Oxford, Forest U. 
Lawhead, B. W. Hurst, W. E. Land, 0. N. Gibson, W. C. Humphrey, L. R. 
Kautz, Charles A. Miller, George R. Miller, C. C. Ross, C. A. Stoner and E. 
S. Miner. 



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CHAPTER XVII 



RAILROADS. 



FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES— RAILROAD BUILDING IN MISSOURI— A RAILROAD 
CONVENTION— THE RECOMMENDATION— CONGRESS PETITIONED— GOVERNOR 
BOGGS' MESSAGE — SPECULATION — LAND GRANTED BY CONGRESS — INTEREST 
IN 1850— ACTIVITY IN 1851— RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION AGITATED IN HAR- 
RISON COUNTY IN 1859— ROADS BUILT TWENTY YEARS LATER — INFLUENCE 
OF RAILROADS — THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM — MODERN TRANSPORTATION. 

The first rail of the first railroad built in the United States was laid 
on July 4, 1828, by Charles Carroll, who was at the time the only surviv- 
ing singer of the Declaration of Independence. 

For a year or two, cars and coaches were drawn by horses, but after 
that the locomotive engine was introduced. Fifteen miles of this road 
had been completed by 1830. Other railroads had been planned, and in 
a few years were under construction, so that by 1850, a little more than 
9,000 miles of railroad had been built in the United States. 

Notwithstanding this progress in railroad building throughout the 
country, not one mile was constructed in Missouri until 1851. However, 
a peculiar road was started in 1849 or 1850, which extended to a point on 
the Missouri opposite Lexington, was operated by horse power, and its 
rails and cross ties were built entirely of timber. Missouri was fortunate 
in having great natural highways of commerce in the Mississippi and Mis- 
souri rivers and their tributaries. The steamboats then coming into gen- 
eral use made these natural highways all the more important and profit- 
able to Missouri by establishing connections not only with the outside 
world, but also between different parts of the state. Along the Mississippi 
and Missouri and their tributaries were thriving and prosperous towns, 
and these seemed well satisfied with the conditions, as they then existed. 
Eastern capitalists either were not able to take up railroad building in 
Missouri, or did not consider it to their advantage to do so. However, 

(7) 



178 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

agitation for railroad building began as early as 1836. A railroad con- 
vention was held on April 30, of that year, at St. Louis. Delegates to the 
number of fifty-nine, representing eleven different counties, assembled at 
St. Louis at this time, and passed various resolutions in which the ad- 
vantages of railroads were set forth. 

It seems to us at this day, rather strange that they recommended two 
lines of railroads running out of St. Louis, one to Fayette, by way of St. 
Charles, Warrenton, Fulton and Columbia, for the purpose of opening up 
an agricultural region, the other to the valley of Bellvue in Washington 
County, with a branch to the Merrimac Iron Works in Crawford County, 
for the purpose of developing the mineral region. 

Congress was also petitioned by this convention to grant 500,000 
acres of public lands to encourage these enterprises, and it was also urged 
that the State of Missouri place its credit at the disposal of the companies 
that would undertake to build these roads. 

oGvernor Boggs, in the fall of the same year, in his message to the 
Legislature, strongly urged a general system of railroad construction. 
Doubtless, inspired by this convention of railroad delegates, and the 
recommendation of the governor, the Legislature proceeded to incorporate, 
during the months of January and February, 1836, at least eighteen railroad 
companies whose aggregate capital stock amounted to about $7,875,000. 

The early thirties were a period of general speculation throughout the 
United States, and the Missouri Legislature in granting franchises to rail- 
road companies so freely and generously, was only following the example 
of many other states. However, little progress was made, in railroad 
building by these companies, due doubtless, in a large part, to a panic in 
1837, and for ten years thereafter, failing to do so, the public lost interest 
in railroad enterprises. The 500,000 acres of land granted by Congress 
to assist in internal improvements in Missouri, were divided among the 
various counties of the state, to be used in the construction of roads. 

It was not until 1850 that the people again became interested in rail- 
road building. At this time the population of the state had increased to 
682,044. This increase in population was not confined to the older settled 
portions of the state, that is along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, 
but also in the more inland sections. The country had recovered from 
the panic of 1837, and the spirit of enterprise was aroused throughout the 
country. St. Louis became roused. In 1850, her population was 80,801, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 179 

and she was the leading manufacturing center in the Mississippi Valley, 
but Chicago was rapidly gaining upon her . 

Missouri was being roused. Governor King proposed to the Legis- 
lature in his message in 1850, that the state should lend its credit to the 
railroad companies by issuing bonds, and lending them the money realized 
from the sale of these bonds. The companies were to pay an annual 
interest at the rate of six per cent, and to pay off the principal in twenty 
years. 

On February 22, 1851, a law was passed by the Legislature, granting 
aid to two railroad companies, the Hannibal & St. Joseph, and the Pacific. 
The first was granted $1,500,000, and the latter $2,000,000. The Hannibal 
& St. Joseph, which had been incorporated in 1846 was to build a road 
which would connect Hannibal, on the Mississippi, with St. Joseph, on the 
Missouri. The Pacific, which had been incorporated between 1847 and 
1851, was to construct a road which would run from St. Louis to Jefferson 
City, and from thence to the western boundary of the state. 

We shall follow the history of railroad building no further in the State 
of Missouri, save only where it directly affects Harrison County. 

The construction of railroads in Harrison County first began to be 
agitated as early as 1859. However, no material results were obtained in 
the way of getting a railroad for twenty years afterward and Harrison 
County depended upon the stage coach and pony express during this time. 
The first railroad agitation which produced fruitful results began in 1879, 
at which time a preliminary survey of the Leon, Mount Ayr & Western, 
a branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road, was surveyed through 
Harrison County was very marked, and following its completion the popu- 
of $40,000, and granted the right of way from Bethany north to the Iowa 
State line. Work was commenced on the road in the summer of 1880, and 
on October 28, of that year, the first train of cars ran to Bethany. The 
line was extended southward to Albany in 1881, and consolidated at that 
place with a narrow gauge road which had been constructed a short 
time previous from St. Joseph to Gentry County. The latter was sub- 
sequently changed to a standard gauge, and the road is now one of the 
most important branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. 

The influence of this road in developing the material resources of 
Harrison County was very marked, and fallowing its completion the popu- 
lation has greatly increased, and all kinds of real estate advanced in value. 



180 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

An immediate outgrowth of the road was the platting and building up of 
Blythedale, Ridgeway and New Hampton, and a vast increase in the busi- 
ness interests of Bethany. The line runs from northwest to southeast, 
and includes about forty-two or forty-three miles in Harrison County. 

In the year 1884 the Des Moines & Osceola Narrow Gauge was ex- 
tended southward from Leon, Iowa, to Gainesville, Missouri, the latter place 
being the present southern terminus of the line. This road is now a 
standard gauge and is a part of the Burlington system, also. Another rail- 
road which passes through the southern part of Adams and Sugar Greek 
townships, the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas Gity Railway, is also a part of the 
Burlington system. The stations on this road in Harrison Gounty are 
Oilman Gity and Melbourne. Only about eleven miles of this railroad are 
in Harrison County. 

No prophet of the present day, however great his vision, can foretell 
the transportation and mode of travel of the future. Even now man prac- 
tically dominates the air and, in speed and distance of flight, puts to shame 
its feathered inhabitants. 

Less than half a century back Jules Verne in his story of how the 
imaginary Phileas Fogg had encircled the globe in eighty days, set the 
world to talking and marveling about the accelerated speed of life, yet less 
than twenty years after or about thirty years ago Nellie Bly, a reporter 
for a New York paper, in actual travel, clipped eight days off the record 
of the marvelous trip of Phileas Fogg. In 1911 Andre Jaeger-Schmidt 
made the planetary loop in a trifle less than forty days. Thus from 1872 
when Verne calculated Phileas Fogg record-setting tour until 1911 only a 
matter of thirty-nine years, mankind had come a half nearer the flying 
heels of time. Thus the imagination and vision of Jules Verne has been 
discounted by actual facts. What we may expect we would not hazard 
a conjecture. 



L 



CHAPTER XVIII 



COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS. 



PERMANENT LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT — COMMISSIONERS — NAME CHANGED — 
FIRST COURT HOUSE — CONTRACT FOR EQUIPMENT — LOCATION — SECOND 
COURT HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE— PRESENT COURT HOUSE BUILT IN 1874 
—DESCRIPTION— ITS INADEQUACY FOR PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS- 
JAILS— COUNTY HOME. 

The legislative enactment creating Harrison County named three 
commissioners whose duty it was to select and locate a permanent seat of 
justice for the same. These commissioners, John Gibson and Ebenezer 
Wood of Gentry County and Eward Smith of Daviess County, met pur- 
suant to law and after spending eight days in viewing the County finally 
selected the present site at Bethany for the seat of justice and gave to it 
the name of Dallas. They made a report of their proceedings at the first 
session of the County Court, and were allowed for their eight days' service 
$2.00 per day. The warrants issued therefor were the first issued by the 
county. 

At the ensuing June term the court appointed John S. Allen the county 
seat commissioner and in the same month he presented his report of the 
plat and survey, which was adopted and approved. After the county seat 
was permanently located the court turned to the necessity of providing ap- 
propriate public buildings. Accordingly at the June term, 1845, an order 
was made appointing John S. Allen commissioner to contract for the build- 
ing of a court house of the following plan, to-wit: To be a frame building 
24x20 feet and 14 feet high, so as to make one story and a half ; the first 
story to be nine feet high ; the half or upper story to be five feet, two 
windows in the upper story and seven windows below, all to be twelve- 
light windows ; the building to be put up with good material and in a work- 
manlike manner. 

It will be observed that the above orders were somewhat indefinite 
as to specifications, no provision having been made for doors. 



182 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The contract was awarded to Elkanah Grover, who, for the sum of 
$194 erected the building in due time and reported it ready for occupancy. 

At the August term, 1846, the commissioner was authorized "to let 
a job of work on the court house to the lowest bidder of the following de- 
scription, to-wit: a seat for the judge to be on a platform two feet 
high, three feet wide and eight feet long, to be banistered up in front with 
railings and a plank on top eight or ten inches wide, also one step to 
ascend the platform one foot high, also a bar in front of the justice's 
seat to be thirteen feet long." 

The house stood northeast of the public square on lot 4, block 2, of 
the original plat. While this seems to us primitive, it answered the pur- 
poses for which it was intended until the increasing business of the 
county required a building of enlarged proportions. 

Second Court House. 

At the August term, 1856, the court ordered that $8,000 be appro- 
priated for the purpose of building a new court house in the town of 
Bethany and appointed William G. Lewis commissioner to let the contract 
and superintend the erection of the same. Plans and specifications were 
furnished and after bids received the contract was let to Asbury Allen 
and Allen S. Meek, who agreed to construct the building for .$9,732. 

They made the brick in 18.56, began work on the building in the fol- 
lowing year and completed it in 1858. The house was a substantial brick 
structure, sixty-five feet long east and west, by forty feet wide, two stories 
high, each story being fifteen feet high. The lower story was divided by a 
hall running through the entire length of the building with stairs to 
ascend to the second story on one side of the hall. The south side of the 
lower story was divided into four rooms of equal size, and the north side 
contained three offices, one double the size of the other two. The largest 
room below was used for the clerk's office and County Court room. The 
Circuit Court room was in the second story, with fifteen feet cut off the 
west end divided by a hall, with jury rooms fifteen feet square on either 
side. It stood on the public square and at the time of completion was con- 
sidered one of the most commodious and substantial temples of justice 
in Northwest Missouri. 

As soon as the new building was ready for occupancy the County Court 
ordered the old court house property sold. It was purchased in 1858 by Dr. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 183 

Charles J. Blackburn for $500.40 and remained standing until about the 
year 1881 at which time it was torn down and the material used in the 
construction of a business house which now stands upon the same lot. 

The brick court house was substantially built and calculated to last 
the county many years, had it not been destroyed by fire in 1874. The 
following from the Bethany Republican of January 8, 1874, is an account 
of the fire which reduced the building to a mass of ruins : 

"About 11 o'clock last night, January 7th, the alarm of 'fire' was heard 
along the streets followed by a ringing of bells and a general panic. The 
night was bright with moonlight, the ground partly covered with snow 
and a moderate breeze was blowing from the south. The fire was discov- 
ered by Scott and Luther Bryant, who observed a brilliant light in the 
collector's office on the north side of the court house. As the light in- 
creased they gave the alarm and rushed down to the court house where 
they found the floor and desk in Mr. Baker's office all on fire, and the desk 
burning and also saw that the window of the office was raised about two 
feet. Other citizens from all parts of the town soon appeared, but as 
comparatively few brought buckets of water, and water being scarce in 
the town at the time, the fire soon gained such headway that little could 
be done to save the building. The desk was of considerable height and 
having a pigeon hole case standing on the top full of papers, the fire reached 
the ceiling easily, which was soon in flames. The square and street were 
by this time thronged with a multitude of men, women and children, wno 
stood shivering in the bleak night wind, powerless to render much aid in 
saving the building, but organized into amateur fire companies to protect 
the buildings on the north side of the square. 

"Water and snow were thrown on the roofs and sides of the buildings 
and the showers of sparks eagerly watched. When the roof of the court 
house caught fire the heat was so great on the walk in front of the Ohio 
House, and the falling cinders so thick, that many people fled in terror. 

"It was soon observed by the most thoughtful that the court house 
could not be saved and the cry was then given to save the records. A 
rush was made for Dr. Skinner's office and the door broken down, and in a 
few minutes the land books, court records and papers were taken to a safe 
distance. Next the Probate Court and County Clerk's office were emptied 
of their contents. All of the Probate records were saved and most of the 
county records except some papers in the large desks on the west side of 
the County Clerk's office. Some of the latter were destroyed, including the 



184 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

settlements with the township clerks, and the estimates for school ex- 
penses and the tax books. All of the road receipts that had been received 
on taxes and other papers connected with the collector's office were de- 
stroyed. 

"There was little doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary 
as it appears to have started near the desk of the collector. 

"When the parties first on the ground appeared there was no fire about 
the stove. A bunch of shavings partly burned was found in the hall in 
front of the sheriff's office door. Just after the alarm had been given a 
strange man was seen running out of the court house yard. Previous to 
the fire two or three suspicious characters were seen in the vicinity 
of the building, but no clue to their whereabouts was ever ascertained." 

On Monday after the fire the county court held a called session and 
ordered the walls of the building taken down to the top of the first story 
windows. Arrangements were also made for the accomodations of the 
various offices and the records were at once removed to a place of safety. 

Present Court House. 

The temple of justice having been destroyed by fire, steps were at 
once taken to erect a new building. Accordingly at the February term, 
1874, an order was made by the court appropriating $9,000 for the purpose. 
The citizens of Bethany increased this amount by subscription to $12,672, 
and in due time Dr. Blackburn, commissioner, prepared plans and specifi- 
cations for the proposed building. Benton Edwards and Isaac Hayes of 
Macon City, Missouri, were awarded the contract and in May, 1874, work 
upon the new court house began. 

The bricks were made and laid up during the summer and the work 
progressed so rapidly that the Circuit Court was held in the new building 
in September, 1874, although the house was not then plastered, but was 
completed and received about November 15. 

Like its predecessor the present house is a two-story brick structure 
but a more spacious building. It is eighty feet long, forty-five feet wide, 
two stories high, the upper story being twenty-one feet from floor to 
ceiling and the lower story twelve feet. Upon the first floor are located 
county offices. County Clerk and Circuit Clerk, County Treasurer and Pro- 
bate Judge. The second story comprising the Circuit Court rooms, sheriff's 
office and grand and petit jury rooms. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 185 

It was erected on the public square, is surrounded by a well kept 
lawn and fine shade trees and at the time of its erection was considered as 
quite sufficient for the pui-poses. Increase of public business since has 
shown it to be quite lacking for the present day. There is no basement 
for storage, or heating- apparatus. It has no heating system, the office 
rooms ars too small; there is a lack of vault room, and is without suffi- 
cient waiting rooms for witnesses and counsel rooms for prosecuting attor- 
neys and for members of the bar. 

Jails. 

At the February term, 1847, the County Court ordered that the build- 
ing of a jail be let to the lowest bidder and that one-fourth of the money 
for the same be paid when the materials are furnished on the ground. E. 
S. Hughes was appointed commissioner to let the contract. It was awarded 
to John and Clem Oatman. 

The following from Colonel Heaston's centennial history of Harrison 
County is a full description of the prison pen: 

"The building erected was two stories high, sixteen feet square, con- 
sisting of two thicknesses of hewn logs. The logs were hewed out of 
good solid oak, twelve inches square, and fitted together tightly with floors 
and ceiling of the same material, each story being eight feet high. 

"The entrance was by stairs on the outside to the second story, where 
there were two heavy doors, an inside and an outside door. The lower 
room was called the dungeon, and the prisoners were let down into it 
through a trap door. 'The two windows consisted of holes through the 
sides about ten inches square with strong iron bars across them. 

"It was completed and the keys delivered on September 1, 1847. It was 
built on the northwest corner of the public square and remained standing 
until the year 1861 and was to incarcerate prisoners until 1860 when it was 
decided to erect a more secure pi'ison. In that year the court appointed 
Dr. Blackburn commissioner to prepare specifications, let contract and sup- 
erintend the construction of a new jail and jailer's residence. 

"The contract was awarded to the lowest responsible bidder at $8,000 
and work was begun on the building in 1861. Work was retarded by 
troubles occasioned by the Civil War and the building was not completed 
and received by the court until 1864. 

"The jail proper is twenty-two feet square, two stories high, built 



186 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of large dressed stone weighing from one to two tons each. The large 
double doors are made of iron and the upper floors and ceiling are lined 
with boiler iron. The jailer's residence comprising the south end of the 
building is 15x30 feet in size, built of brick and consists of four rooms. 

"When this jail was completed it was considered impossible for pris- 
oners to escape, but prisoners contrived to loosen the stones by fire and 
flaking off and in 1875 the jail was improved by the addition of strong iron 
cells put in at a cost to the county of $2,400.00." 

County Home. 

Harrison County with her vigorous and industrious people has been 
no exception to the unvarying rule that no community is without its un- 
fortunates and in common with the other states of the Nation, Missouri has 
kept pace with benevolent movements, and the making of provisions for 
the needy and those unable to earn a support. In common with the other 
counties of the state Harrison has done her part, under the enabling laws 
of the state which have shown great growth and development from our 
early days. 

Our early records contain announcements of doings under our early 
laws then regarded as helpful, but which now we would not feel proud 
of. For instance that the keep of the county's indigent were left to the 
lowest bidders. We find in the records of the June term, 1847, of the county 
courts that "Henry Fuller, sheriff, lets John Richardson, a pauper, to the 
lowest bidder, and John Foster takes him, at $38.00 per month," but 
later provisions enabled our people to suitably care for the unfortunate 
and pay the cost thereof, and not make the same a matter of auction. 

At the December term, 1866, John W. Brown, who had previously 
been appointed to purchase for the county land for a poor farm, reported 

a purchase of acres in section 9, township 64, range 27, which was 

adopted, and the land purchased by the county, and two years later the 
necessary buildings were erected thereon. This farm under the county 
management afforded a comfortable home for the poor of the county 
until about 1902. 

This property was sold by the county and in October, 1900, the county 
purchased from Campbell Crossan what had been the old fair ground in 
section 9, township 63, range 27, near Bethany, and later other tracts 
have been added until the farm now comprises 180 acres. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 187 

On June 13, 1901, we find the following entry in the County Court 
Record of that date: "Whereas the county court contemplates erecting 
a county building on the county farm with modern improvements neces- 
sary to the sanitary condition of same, and whereas R. G. Hirsch, archi- 
tect, of Macon, Missouri, and Joslyn, Taylor & Company, of Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa, present plans and specifications for said building and upon investi- 
gation of said plans and specifications, the county court doth find that 
the plans submitted by R. G. Hirsch are best adapted to their needs, and 
do hereby adopt the same for their use in constructing said county build- 
ing, and hereby authorize said architect to prepare and file in this court 
not later than July 1, 1901, complete plans and specifications, when action 
will be taken thereon." 

After due publication of notice for sealed bids, which were received 
on August 5, 1901, the contracts were let on August 6, 1901, as follows: 
To John Scott & Sons for $10,250.00 for the building, contractors to furnish 
all material, perform all the labor in accordance with the Hirsch plans 
and specifications on file. To Sodermann Heat and Power Company the 
contract for heating for $1,978.00 according to plans and specifications. 
The county court entered an order of record appointing Andrew Gum- 
ming, of Bethany, Missouri, superintendent of construction of said county 
building, also one appointing A. S. Cumming\ of Bethany, Missouri, to 
assist the prosecuting attorney in the matter of contracts and bonds re- 
lating to same. 

At August term, 1901, John Scott & Sons present their bond in the 
sum of $20,500 to secure the performance of their contract, which was 
approved August 21, 1901. At the same time Soderman Heat and Power 
Company present their bond for $4,000 to secure the performance of their 
contract, which was approved. 

At the April term, 1902, Andrew Gumming reports completion of 
the building as per plans, specifications and contract, which report was 
received and adopted. 



CHAPTER XIX 



EARLY SCHOOLS. 



THE LOG SCHOOL HOUSE— "SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOLS"— FIRST SCHOOL IN HARRISON 
COUNTY — FIRST TEACHERS — EARLY WOMEN TEACHERS — FIRST TEACHERS' 
MEETINGS— PRIVATE SCHOOLS— PROMINENT EDUCATORS— SCHOOL DIS- 
TRICTS ORGANIZED— PRESENT SCHOOLS— THE UNIT DAW— PROGRESS. 

As soon as a settlement became strong enough a log school house 
would be erected and the children sent to school, for the settlers believed 
in education and in their general talk expressed their knowledge of the 
great inconvenience of being without it. They looked forward to a time 
when they beheved this would become a very desirable country, well 
settled up, and expected that they who were here first and had choice of 
best lands would be well fixed, and wished their children to be educated 
and able to maintain their position and dignity. Besides these people 
had come from where such advantages existed and knew the value of 
same and did not look for this to remain a new and wild country. No 
burdensome school tax was laid, each paid his own school bill direct to 
the teacher — no portion of it was lost, or stolen by dishonest officers. 

The early schools which were thus maintained by paying a specified 
amount per pupil to the teacher thereof by the patrons were commonly 
known as "subscription schools." The problem of maintaining schools of 
any efficiency under the pioneer conditions of the early days were difficult. 
The communities were sparsely settled and famihes lived far apart and 
therefore the attendents to any one of these subscription schools was 
very limited and accordingly the teacher's income from this method of 
livelihood was very limited. The early schools in Harrison County were 
generally taught by men in small log structures with puncheon or dirt 
floors and the buildings were furnished with crude benches made of 
split logs. Great fire places furnished the heat and the omission of a 
log from the wall admitted light. Books were scarce in these pioneer 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 189 

settlements and at first there was no such thing as a school being equipped 
with a blackboard. At first there were no slates and paper was so scarce 
and high priced that it was practically prohibitive. From these small 
beginnings and under such difficult conditions the public school system of 
Harrison County has grown through years to its present state of efficiency, 
until today the public schools of Harrison County will compare favorably 
with those of any other part of the state. 

The first school of Harrison County was taught by Jonas R. Gray 
in 1846. This was at Bethany and the school was conducted in a hewed 
log building which was erected for church and school purposes and stood 
about a quarter of a mile east of the town limits. There is little infor- 
mation obtainable as to the literary or professional qualifications of Jonas 
R. Gray, who conducted this school, and we are also lacking in data as to 
who the pupils were and the number in attendance. William Fleming 
was another teacher who also taught in this building during the fifties. 
William G. Lewis, who later became a distinguished member of the Har- 
rison County bar and was prominent in the affairs of Harrison County 
for many years, was a teacher for a short time in the pioneer schools of 
Bethany and was one of the first thoroughly accomplished educators of 
the county of whom we have a record. Among the early teachers here 
were also F. M. Goodpastore, L. T. Morris, Doctor Skinner and Mr. Clen- 
denning, John R. Kirk, who was later state superintendent of schools and 
president of the Kirksville Normal School, served as principal of the 
Bethany schools in 1876-77, and later he was employed as superintendent 
of the Bethany schools. Among the early women teachers of the Harri- 
son County schools were Vashti Palmer, Ruth and Anna Carpenter, Re- 
becca A. Miller (who taught at old Fairview Church, immortalized by E. 
W. Howe's "Story of a County Town." Mr. Howe was one of her pupils), 
Henrietta Springer, Viola Bunch, Esther Miller and Agnes Cochran. 

In 1859 the Bethany Star contains the first public notice of a teachers' 
meeting, which was to be held in Bethany, and is signed by L. T. Morris. 
The names of Mrs. Eliza Patch and Miss E. J. Harris are among the first 
recorded in connection with school work. Notice of a select school to be 
opened in Bethany with "English and ornamental branches taught" is 
signed by Ella J. Harris. In local papers published from 1860 to 1862 are 
notices of schools taught by Miss Sally Trimble, Miss Belle Ramer, Mrs. 
Steward and other women. Upon the completion of a new school building 
in Bethany in 1871, Prof. R. A. Lovitt is named as principal with Miss 



190 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mary U. Kessler, Mrs. J. Stewart and Mrs. S. C. German as associate 
teachers. From this time teachers' meetings became more frequent and 
proved of great value to earnest and ambitious young teachers whose 
education advantages had been Hmited. Miss Kessler, a woman of culture, 
well trained in professional lines and of gracious personality, was espec- 
ially helpful to other young women teachers. Mrs. German, a successful 
primary teacher who held that position in the Bethany schools for a period 
of fourteen years, by her experience and advice, was of great assistance 
to her fellow teachers. Miss Jennie Goodell is also mentioned as a teacher 
who helped to lay educational foundations in this section. Later Mrs. N. 
E. Conner, fresh from the State Normal School, began work in Harrison 
County and for years was a definite factor in the field, conducting classes 
in the summer schools for teachers and bringing normal school methods 
to those who were unable to attain them first hand. 

The first log school building in the vicinty of Bethany above referred 
to was destroyed by fire and afterwards a small brick school house of a 
single apartment was erected in the southern part of the town. On 
account of the increased attendance this building was found inadequate 
for school purposes and in 1871 another school building was erected. In 
the meantime vacant rooms in various parts of the town were secured 
for school purposes and at one time school was taught in the Christian 
Church. In 1870 the independent school district of Bethany was organized 
and the following were the members of the first board of education: H. 
M. Cuddy, El Hubbard, J. D. Wilson, W. R. Simms, H. D. Dougherty and 
Thomas D. Neal. In 1871 the following board of directors were elected: 
H. E. Dougherty, D. S. Alvord, C. J. Blackburn, D. J. Heaston, H. M. 
Cuddy and John Taggart. The first official act of this board was the 
reorganization and grading of the schools into four departments, high 
school, grammar school, intermediate and primary departments. 

There are now ten high schools within the borders of Han-ison County 
.nnd the total number of teachers employed in this county are 196 and 
the enrolled pupils number 5,292. 

At this time also the people of the state are in the throes of the 
referendum over an act in relation to public schools known as the county 
unit bill, which some contend will place the schools in the front rank. 

The writer will not here state either his opinion or the conflicting 
views now in discussion, but content himself by declaring that the people 
even of so great a state as Missouri do not always all keep pace in all 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 191 

great problems at the same time, but all take problems one at a time and 
step by step until all the progress that may be conceived of has been 
put in motion and in time arrive at the best. 

The present movement therefore is an indication that the people 
intend to cultivate the school problem until no state has a better system. 



CHAPTER XX 



PIONEER CHURCHES. 



RELIGIOUS AND MORAL TRAINING NOT NEGLECTED — EARLY RELIGIOUS SOCIE- 
TIES ORGANIZED — ELDER JOHN ALLEN — FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZATION — 
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING— BAPTIST— CHRISTIAN— METHODIST— PRESBY- 
TERIAN — CATHOLIC — METHODIST SOUTH— UNITED BRETHREN — CHURCH OF 
JESUS CHRIST OP LATTER DAY SAINTS — BOHEMIAN NATIONAL CEMETERY. 

Although in a new country the Harrison County settlers did not 
lose their religion or neglect their social or moral training. In the year 
1841 the religious society or association known as the Christian Church 
of Bethany, Missouri, was organized on Big Creek by Elder John S. Allen 
and Ephraim Stewart. After that Parson Allen continued to preach to 
the church nearly every Lord's day for forty years. He never charged 
anything for his services and was always a liberal contributor to the 
good cause. 

To him more than any other person are the people of Bethany in- 
debted for the upbuilding of the church here and for good moral and 
religious teaching. This church now has a splendid church edifice on 
Alder Street erected in 1900, an imposing and commodious structure 
equipped with all the modern conveniences of the present day that pertain 
to buildings of that character, and it bears a memorial window commem- 
orating the life and work of Parson Allen. 

The first church organization in Harrison County was in 1841. In 
that year Elder A. B. Hardin organized a Baptist Society and the same 
year the Christian Church was organized at Bethany by Elder John S. 
Allen. Elder Allen first held meetings at Harris' mill and later he held 
services at the residences of the various members of the congregation. 
And frequently preached in the groves, "God's first temples." The first 
permanent organization of the Christian Church in Harrison County was 
effected by Elder Allen at the reisdence of John H. Pointer, about two 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 193 

miles southeast of Bethany in the summer of 1841. The first church 
building of this denomination was erected in 1846 and was used for 
church and school purposes. It was located about a quarter of a mile east 
of Bethany upon a tract of land which had been donated for church and 
burial purposes. The building was of hewed logs, twenty by twenty-four 
feet in dimensions. This building answered its purpose very well until 
its destruction by fire in 1849. In 1856 a brick church building was erected 
at the cost of $3,500. And in 1872 a larger building, costing $7,000, was 
built. This building was torn down after having answered its purpose 
for several years and the present modern and commodious church edifice 
was erected on the same site. There are now twenty-two Christian 
Church organizations in Harrison County. Other congregations of the 
Christian Church were organized in various sections of Harrison County 
from time to time as the county became more thickly settled. A Chris- 
tian Church society was established at Cainsville in 1872. This organiza- 
tion was effected by members of an old society which was organized a 
number of years previously at Booth's Schoolhouse, three miles northeast 
of Cainsville. The Christian Church at Booth's Schoolhouse was organized 
in 1865 by Elder William Moore and this was a flourishing society for 
a number of years. The Eagleville Christian Church was organized by 
Elder Lockhart in the sixties. They held their services in the Methodist 
Church, public halls and other places until 1875, when they erected a 
building. This congregation was reorganized in 1886 through the efforts 
of Elder Jasper Coffey. Mount Gillead Christian Church, west of Eagle- 
ville, was organized about 1876, and shortly after the organization c 
building was erected. The Christian Society was organized at Ridgeway 
May 21, 1882. A society of the Christian Church was organized at Blythe- 
dale in 1884 by Elder W. H. Richardson, who preached there for about two 
years. A Christian Church was organized at Mount Moriah in the sixties. 
In 1882 or 1883 the Christian Church of New Hampton was organized by 
Elder W. H. Hook, of Bethany. This church was reorganized in 1884 by 
Elder Aimyhre, state evangelist of the Christian Church of Missouri. 
Antioch Christian Church, in the western part of Sherman Township, 
was organized at an early date in the history of the county and erected 
a building in the early seventies. Mount Gilead Christian Church in 
Union Township was organized in 1877. 

Elder A. B. Hardin was the first minister of the Baptist denomina- 
tion to appear in Harrison County, as stated at the beginning of this 
(8) 



194 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

chapter. He held reUgious worship here in the southern part of the county 
in 1841 and through his efforts the first Baptist Society of Harrison 
County was organized. The Cainsville Baptist Church was formally 
organized in March, 1845. This organization, however, was a short dis- 
tance over the county line in Mercer County and about six miles southeast 
of the present site of Cainsville. The place was known as Goshan Prairie. 
The Baptists at Cainsville now have a strong oi'ganization. And in 1914 
a splendid church was completed there at a cost of $20,000. Elders John 
and James Woodward and Elder W. T. Goodell were among the early day 
preachers of the Baptist denomination at Cainsville and vicinity. A 
Baptist Church was organized at Eagleville by Rev. John Woodward in 
April, 1864. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church No. 2 was organized in the 
northern part of Colfax Township in 1853 and Rev. John Woodward 
ministered to this congi'egation at intervals for a number of years. The 
first house of worship here was a log building which was erected in 1856. 
This was succeeded by a frame structure in 1877. In the fall of 1877 a 
Baptist Church was organized near the home of W. S. Young in Wash- 
ington Township and Elder J. B. Seat was the first pastor. White Oak 
Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the southwest part of Madison Town- 
ship was organized in 1885 by Revs. Woodward, Harper and Withard. 
The Pleasant Valley Baptist Church was organized in the southeast part 
of Marion Township February 7, 1885, by Revs. J. H. Bun-ows and John 
Woodward. The first meetings were held in the Pleasant Valley School- 
house and later a church building was erected. The Baptist Church at 
Blythedale was organized in October, 1885. The Baptist Society was 
organized at Mount Moriah in 1862 and the first meetings were held in a 
store room and their first church erected in 1877. One of the old religious 
organizations of the county was Mount Pleasant Church No. 1, Missionary 
Baptist, which was organized in Fox Creek Township in 1851. The Bethel 
Baptist Church of Sherman Township was organized March 25, 1886, by 
Rev. 0. E. Newman and a house of worship was erected the same year. 
Baptist Churches were organized at Bethany, Ridgeway, Gilman City. 
and there are now seventeen Baptist Church organizations in the county, 
all of which have houses of worship. 

The first Methodist Society in Harrison County was organized in 
Bethany in the early fifties, although the history of Methodism in Harri- 
son County dates from the first settlement of the county by white men. 
From the best infonnation obtainable it appears that traveling ministers 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 195 

of the church visited the locaUty in the early, going from house to house 
and from neighborhood to neighborhood, holding meetings until their 
influence was felt and impressed upon the people long before and Metho- 
dist organization was effected or house of worship built in Harrison County. 
The first church building erected by the Methodists in Bethany was dur- 
ing the pastorate of Rev. Beardsley in 1870-71. The material for this 
building was hauled by teams from Chillicothe and the structure cost over 
$4,000. This building was used for church purposes for a number of 
years and in 1896 the congregation erected its present church edifice. 
There are now about twenty-five Methodist organizations in Harrison 
County. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Cainsville was organized in 
1869 by Reverend Morton. Meetings were first held in the schoolhouse 
and in 1871 the frame building was erected, which was the first church 
building of the Methodist denomination at Cainsville. A society of the 
Methodist Church was organized a short distance west of Cainsville in 
Madison Township in 1857. Meetings had been held here by traveling 
ministers in private residences two or three years previous to the organ- 
ization of the society. But in 1857 a log house of worship was erected. 
Several diflferent denominations used this building for worship, but it 
was knowTi as a Methodist Church. In 1877 this old log building was 
succeeded by a beautiful frame structure which at that time was one of 
the finest country church buildings in Harrison County. The Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Eagleville was organized prior to 1858 and services 
were held in a log schoolhouse which stood near the village of Eagleville. 
About 1859 the society purchased a lot in Eagleville and later erected a 
frame building. The Methodists organized a congregation at Akron in 
Clay Township at an early day and erected a building in 1873. Wesley 
Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized in Washington Town- 
ship in 1865 or 1866. A frame building was erected in 1873 at a cost of 
$1,100. A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Ridgeway by 
Rev. Isaac Chivington in 1881 and the first church building was erected 
in the fall of that year at a cost of $1,400. The Methodist Church was 
organized at Mount Moriah in the latter sixties and in 1877 a house of 
worship was erected. The Methodists have organizations in the prin- 
cipal parts of Harrison County. 

The Presbyterian Church in Harrison County dates from the organ- 
ization of that denomination at Bethany, September 10, 1865. This 
organization was effected through the labors of Rev. Robert Speer, who 



196 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

was a pioneer Presbyterian minister of this section. The Presbyterians 
used the courthouse at Bethany as a place of worship for a few years and 
in 1868 they procured a lot in Bethany and erected a handsome brick 
edifice. This building did service for a number of years and about twenty- 
five years ago was torn down and a new frame building was erected in 
its place. This building has since been remodeled and enlarged. A Pres- 
byterian Church was organized at Akron in December, 1863, by Revs. 
William Reed and Duncan McRuer. David and Morgan Frazier were the 
first elders. This congregation erected a church building in 1876. A 
Presbyterian Church was organized at Blythedale in 1883 by the Presby- 
terian Missionary Board of New York. At New Hampton a Presbyterian 
Church was organized February 28, 1885, by Rev. Duncan McRuer. The 
first meeting was held in what was known as Foster's Chapel, or Union 
Church, about one and a half miles south of New Hampton. About a 
year after the organization of this congregation they erected a frame 
church building in the village of New Hampton. There were a number 
of other organizations in the Presbyterian Church throughout Harrison 
County and at present there are five Presbyterian Churches in this county. 

There are two Catholic organizations in this county, one near Andover 
and one at Oilman City, and services are held regularly at several other 
towns. Father Powers, of Maryville, Missouri, was one of the early 
priests who ministered to the Catholics of Harrison County. 

There are several other denominations represented in Harrison 
County, including the Methodist Church South, the United Brethren and 
others which were organized and established here since the early days' 
of the county. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints accepts as its sacred 
books the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. The Book 
of Mormon purports to be a record of God's dealings with the people of 
Ancient America. The Doctrine and Covenants is claimed to be a record 
of the present day revelations to the church. 

The church believes in present day revelation; teaches monogamy 
and strongly denounces polygamy ; presents the theory of Stewardship to 
God in man's relations with his fellow man ; and holds to an organization 
and belief based upon their understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

There is no record of any work done by the early organization of the 
Latter Day Saint Church in Harrison County. The reorganization was 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 197 

first represented in this county by Alexander H. Smith, of Lamoni, in 
about the year 1870. 

Following this work preaching was done at various points in the 
county by Joseph Smith, T. J. Bell, S. V. Bailey, D. W. Wight, Thomas 
Wellington, Henry Stebbins, John Harpe and others. 

Preaching during these days was largely done in school houses and 
open air services. Services have at various times been conducted in Lone 
Rock, Cainsville, Liberty Chapel, Mount Moriah, Ridgeway, Canady School- 
house, Hunt Schoolhouse, Smith Schoolhouse, Andover, Oland and Pawnee. 

As a result of these meetings branches of the church have been built 
up at Lone Rock, Cainsville, Pawnee, Andover and Oland. The branches 
are no longer in existence at Cainesville and Pawnee, both having been 
discontinued some time ago. 

The branch at Lone Rock was organized April 8, 1877. It was par- 
tially disorganized in August of the following year but was reorganized 
in September. L P. Baggerly was the first president of the branch. He 
has been succeeded by A. J. Ames, Caleb E. Blodget, Charles Jones, J. P. 
Johnston, Price McPeek, George York and Edward Harp. In 1885 the 
membership of this branch of the church was forty-nine. Today it is 
about 125. 

The Oland branch was built up as a result of the preaching of those 
heretofore mentioned, in addition to that of Joseph and Nephi Snively, 
Miriam Haskins and perhaps others. A church was built in 1904. The 
organization of a branch occurred in 1907. The following have served 
in the capacity of presiding elder of the branch: R. S. Salyards, Amos 
Berve, Earnest Haskins and Flavins Sharp. The membership at time of 
organization was thirty. It has more than doubled since that time, being 
at present sixty-eight. 

The Andover branch was organized in 1911. There have been but 
two presiding elders, D. C. White and William Stoll, both of Lamoni. The 
church membership at this place is about seventy-five. 

While there has been considerable preaching done by Latter Day 
Saint elders in the vicinity of Blythedale, no concerted effort was made 
in this town until the spring of 1920. A number of the members having 
moved into Blythedale, protracted meetings were held. As a result of 
the interest created, a church building was purchased from the United 
Brethren denomination and regular meetings are now being held. 



198 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Bohemian National Cemetery. 

Written by W. Pelikan and Anthony Skroth. 

The Bohemian National Cemetery is situated on section 35, range 26, 
township 4, consisting of one acre of ground which was donated by Mrs. 
Josephine Roberts in the year of 1869 for the public use. At that time 
there were only a few Bohemian-American citizens here, namely, John 
Posler, Joe Skroh, Joe Sobotka and the Solil family. About that time this 
part of the county began to be settled by more Bohemian people, who 
settled on farms. Later on another acre of ground was bought and added 
to the other acre. The first person to be buried in this cemetery was 
Josephine Prazak, who was born in Bohemia in 1829 and died in Septem- 
ber, 1869. The second person buried was Mrs. Anna Posler, born in 1800, 
in Bohemia and died in June, 1871. The third person buried was Miss 
Elizabeth Prazak, born in 1852, died November, 1872, in Bohemia. Miss 
Josephine Roberts was the fifth person buried in this cemetery and was 
born in 1854 and died in July, 1879. Joseph Skroh, the fourth person 
buried, was born in 1813 and died in 1875. Joseph Sobotka, born in 1836, 
died July, 1902. John Posler was born November, 1823, came to this 
country in 1849 and died March, 1912. He was the first Bohemian settler 
in Harrison County and settled on a farm in 1856, as that was his occupa- 
tion before coming to the United States. Up to the present time there 
has been twenty-six children and sixty-nine adults buried in this cemetery, 
making a total of ninety-five. 

This cemetery is under the organization of about fifty members and 
paying necessary assessment each year for to keep fences and cleanup 
work and have several hundred dollars on hand in Liberty Bonds and 
treasury. 



CHAPTER XXI 



LODGES AND SOCIETIES. 



MASONIC — ODD FELL.OWS— KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS— GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUB- 
LIC — AMERICAN LEGION — WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION— MILI- 
TARY SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD- DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REV- 
OLUTION—OTHER LODGES AND SOCIETIES. 

Masonry was first introduced into Harrison County nearly seventy 
years ago. Bethany Lodge No. 97, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
was organized May 7, 1853, with the following officers: J. P. Devers, W. 
M.; C. M. Scott, S. W.; W. R. Allen, J. VV. ; B. F. Whedbee, secretary; H. 
T. Monson, S. D. ; Milton Fowler, J. D. ; and J. W. Casebolt, tyler. The 
first person initiated was W. S. Clark, June 4, 1853, and on August 27 
following Elijah Glendenning was raised to the degree of Master Mason. 

Bethany Royal Arch Chapter was organized June 10, 1873, with the 
following officers and charter members : D. J. Heaston, H. P. ; C. Crossan, 
K. ; W. P. Robinson, S. ; A. Crossan, C. H. ; Joseph Corbett, P. S. ; William 
T. Small, R. A. C. ; C. Crossan, treasurer; Thomas H. B. Walker, secretary; 
Arthur Graham, master third veil; C. Cheney, master second veil; S. J. 
Scott, master first veil. A charter was granted by the Grand Chapter of 
Missouri October 9, 1873. 

Bethany Commandery, Knights Templar, was organized March 8. 
1883, Right Eminent Grand Commander of Missouri W. J. Terrell, of Har- 
risonville, officiating. The first officers were: C. Crossan, eminent com- 
mander ; D. J. Heaston, generalissimo ; M. S. Gillidett, C. G. ; W. P. Robin- 
son, S. W.; T. B. Elhs, J. W.; H. M. Craner, treasurer; G. H. Osborne, 
recorder; Theo. Newbum, S. B.; J. B. Thomas, S. B. ; and T. B. Sherer, 
warden. The charter was dated May 1, 1883. 

Cainsville Lodge No. 328, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was 
organized in 1868. The first officers were: John Woodward, W..M. ; J. H. 



200 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Burrows, S. W. ; Conrad Mooter, J. W. ; and A. B. Montgomery, secretary. 
The lodge was granted a charter October 13, 1870. 

Eagleville Lodge No. 257, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was 
organized about 1867. Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 332, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons, was organized at Mount Moriah about 1868. This lodge 
surrendered its charter, however, about five years later. A Masonic 
lodge was also organized at Lorraine when that town seemed to have a 
promising future and was maintained there until 1885, when it was trans- 
ferred to \\'ashington Center and in November, 1886, to Ridgeway. This 
lodge was originally known as Lorraine Lodge 128, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons. 

There are now Masonic lodges in Harrison County at Cainsville, Hat- 
field, Eagleville, Oilman City, Bethany and Ridgeway, and a Knights 
Templar Commandery and Royal Arch Chapter at Bethany. 

Odd Fellows. 

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the first fraternal organ- 
ization in Harrison County. Marian Lodge No. 129 was chartered at 
Bethany May 19, 1850. Among the first members of the organization here 
were the following: D. C. Threlkeld, 0. L. Abbott, D. D. Boyce, John E. 
Creyton, J. F. Collier, David Groucher, James Sevier, James Richster, 
Ephraim Stewart, H. M. Cuddy, P. H. Maxey, C. A. Nelson, William Mar- 
tin, E. S. Munton, James Price, A. M. Dean, Samuel Ross, William P. 
Carson and Samuel Downey. 

Cainsville Lodge No. 199, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was 
organized at an early date but the exact data on the organization of this 
lodge is not available. Eagleville Lodge No. 166, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, was organized March 27, 1867, but owing to a decrease in 
its membership on account of deaths, removals and other causes the 
charter was surrendered in 1887. Mount Moriah Lodge No. 269 was 
organized about 1870, but owing to reduced membership the charter was 
later surrendered. 

Ridgeway Lodge No. 377, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was 
instituted October 1, 1881, with a membership of about twenty-five, most 
of whom had belonged to the Lorraine Lodge. February 16, 1877, the 
membership of Eagleville Lodge No. 166 was also transferred to Ridgeway. 

There are now in Harrison County organizations of the Independent 




I. 0. O. F. HALL, MIRIA.Al LODGE, No. 129, BETHANY, JIO. 




PYTHIAN CASTLE HALL, BETHANY, MO. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 201 

Order of Odd Fellows located at Melbonie, Gilman City, Cainsville, Ridge- 
way, Blythedale, Bethany, New Hampton, Martinsville and Hatfield. The 
only Encampment in the county is located at Bethany. 

Knights of Pythias. 

Lodge No. 87, Knights of Pythias, was established at Bethany in 
1883. The following were the charter members : S. W. Leslie, J. C. Wilson, 
T^ . R. Aufricht, W. J. Taylor, Frank Meyer, W. S. McCray, E. Dunn, J. H. 
Casebolt, J. D. Good, T. 0. Tucker, W. L. Barry, J. T Corcoran, Joseph 
Newland, H. D. Poynter, W. A. Templeman and Max Keller. This lodgo 
continued for about three years when on account of diminished member- 
ship the charter was surrendered in 1886. However a Knights of Pythias 
JiOdge was later established at Bethany which is now one of the strongest 
fraternal organizations in Harrison County. Knights of Pythias Lodges 
are organized at New Hampton, Bethany, Ridgeway and Eagleville. On 
December 30, 1913, the ICnights of Pythias dedicated a fine Pythian 
building at Bethany. This is an imposing structure of brick and of neat 
design and was erected at a cost of $10,000. Herman Roleke, grand ex- 
chequer of the Knights of Pythias Lodge for several years, lives at Bethany. 

Grand Army of the Republic. 

Grand Army of the Republic, T. D. Neal Post No. 124, was organized 
at Bethany November 22, 1883. Cainsville Post No. 216 was organized 
October 7, 1884. Rheutendale Post No. 223, Grand Army of the Republic, 
was organized at Eagleville in December, 1883. Bradshaw Post No. 201, 
Grand Army of the Republic, was established at Mount Moriah in Septem- 
ber, 1885. Elwell Post No. 140, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ- 
ized at Ridgeway January 22, 1884. Wilson Stanley Post No. 208 was 
chartered at Blythedale September 22, 1884. Many of these Grand Army 
of the Republic Posts which had large memberships and flourished in 
former days, are now practically abandoned, owing to the fact that the 
ranks of the veterans of the Civil War have been greatly depleted by the 
"grim reaper" in recent years. 

There are a number of other lodges and fraternal organizations in 
Harrison County. In fact most of the leading fraternal orders are repre- 
sented here. 



202 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

American Legion. 

The American Legion, Wilson-Axline Post No. 216, at Bethany, Mis- 
souri, was organized at Bethany February 5, 1920, by the following 
charter members: Oscar Tschudin, C. E. Neff, G. J. Dippold, Melverne 
Cole, L. L. Coffelt, E. Newton Carter, Elvis W. Nice, Randall Wilson, 
Edwin Wightman, Arthur Hamnions, H. H. Cowan and G. C. Logsdon. 
The membership was rapidly increased from the start and at this writing 
there are now over 150 members. 

Wilson-Axline Post No. 216 was named in honor of Captain Carlisle 
"Chuck" Wilson and Lieutenant Arthur Andrew Axline, two Bethany 
boys who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War. 

Captain Carlisle "Chuck" Wilson died in France November 7, 1918, 
from wounds received in the battle of Argonne Forest, September 27, 
1918. He was the son of J. C. and Alice Wilson and was 27 years, three 
months and nine days old. He was captain of Company G, One Hundred 
Thirty-ninth Infantry. 

Lieutenant Arthur Andrew Axline was killed in action at the Battle 
of Argonne, in France, September 28, 1918, at the age of twenty-nine 
years, eleven months and one day. He was first lieutenant of Company 
G, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry, but at the time of his death he 
v/as commanding Company E. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. 
Axline, of Bethany. 

The first officers of Wilson-Axline Post were E. Newton Carter, post 
commander; Edwin Wightman, adjutant; Virgil Nelson, chaplain; DeWitt 
Newland, historian ; and H. L. Collins, financial officer. The following are 
the present officers and are the second set of officers of the post ; Melverne 
C. Cole, post commander; Robert H. Cowan, vice post commander; W. 
Merle Tyner, adjutant; Ben G. Crouch, finance officer; Rose L. Bender, 
corresponding secretary; Oscar L. King, sergeant-at-arms ; Dr. W. S. 
Welsh, chaplain ; and Ray J. Tilley, historian. 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 

The first organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union 
m Harrison County was organized in the fall of 1883. Mrs. Clardy, the 
state president, came to Bethany to get the women interested, going from 
one church to another, before she could get any interest at all. She called 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 203 

on Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Roberts, who had become a member of the 
organization in Colorado under the leadership of Frances Willard in 1882, 
and has the distinction of being; the first W. C. T. U. woman in Har- 
rison County. 

The first local union was organized in Bethany on Monday morning 
in October, 1883, at the old Methodist Church, there being only the 
scriptural numbers present, seven women. Mrs. Z. P. Hamilton was 
elected president, Mrs. J. M. Roberts recording secretary and Mrs. J. C. 
M. McGeorge treasurer. From this nucleus of women grew the great 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Harrison County. 

Local Unions were soon organized in other towns in the county and 
speakers of note came, such as Colonel George Bain, of Kentucky, Sobieski, 
Colonel C. J. Holt, Luther Benson, Ainsley Grey, Joe Critchfield, Clara 
Hoffman, Callie Howe, Carrie Lee Carter, Nelle Burges, Eliza Ingalls, 
and a host of others too numerous to mention. 

Harrison County was in the old fourth district, which comprised five 
counties, Worth, Gentiy, DeKalb, Daviess and Harrison, and was pre- 
sided over by Mrs. Maud Allen as district president, and one of the untir- 
ing workers. In 1896 under the leadership of Mrs. Ella Wren the Bethany 
Union entertained the state convention and many were the praises of 
Bethany sung by the women attending the convention. 

In 1911 Harrison with the other counties of the state was made a 
district by itself, thereby making the county president a member of the 
state executive and. one of the vice-presidents of the state. 

Mrs. Martha Miner, of Ridgeway, was the first woman in the county 
to fill this difficult place in a most acceptable manner, for it was a difficult 
office to fill when the districts were under reconstruction. In 1912 Mrs. 
Melissa Platz, of Blue Ridge, became president and Mrs. Martha Miner 
vice-president, and later Mrs. J. C. Ruby treasurer. To these three 
untiring workers belongs the credit of bringing the Harrison County 
district up to one of the leading districts in the state. Twice has Har- 
rison County won distinction for the best press work in the state, once 
through Mrs. Alice Blackburn, state press superintendent, who presented 
the Alice Blackburn Star, and once by Mrs. Sarah German, who won back 
the star for the best press work in the state. Mrs. Ruby has been acknowl- 
edged by the state officers as one of the best treasurers in the state. 

In 1916 Harrison County gave the greatest number of votes per 
capita for prohibition of any county in the state. To Harrison County 



204 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

belongs one of the illustrious workers for the prohibition cause in north- 
west Missouri, Judge Burrows, of Cainsville, whose wife has been local 
president of the Cainsville Union for many years and whose daughters, 
Mrs. Minnie B. Oden, became the third president for Harrison district 
October 1, 1920, at the annual convention held in Ridgeway. 

There have been so many loyal workers in the temperance work in 
this county that a history of the work is not complete without mention 
of them, such as Grandma Ruby, Mother Crossan, Julia Towns, Sadie 
Alden, Nellie Nevill and others. Space forbids mention of them all, but 
this we know, that in the other world every one will receive the credit 
due them for the blessing they have brought to humanity. — Elizabeth 
Roberts, Melissa Platz. 

The Military Sisterhood of the World War, 

The Military Sisterhood of the World War was the first organization 
of relatives of soldiers, sailors and marines of the great war, founded 
after it became a certainty that the United States would enter the war. 

The organization was conceived and organized by Mrs. C. L. Martin, 
of Topeka, Kansas (wife of General C. I. Martin, who had command of 
the Seventieth United States Infantry Brigade in which our own Company 
G of the One Hundred Thirty-ninth United States Infantry was a part, 
and he accompanied them overseas and commanded them in their trench 
warfare in the Vosges Mountains), and by her the by-laws and constitu- 
tion and name of the organization were copyrighted. 

The first chapter was organized June 14th, 1917, at Topeka, Kansas, 
by charter under the laws of the state of Kansas with power to organize 
in the other states. 

Our motto is "Justice," not charity, "for our Soldier Boys." The 
object of our organization as said by Bethany's worthy Mayor Roleke, 
during the war ,"Is to maintain the military spirit among our people, to 
assist the soldier and his family ; to encourage his family and help main- 
tain his home until he returns from his sei-vice for Uncle Sam; and in 
case of their sickness to assist in furnishing them necessary care and 
attention ; to assist in furnishing to the soldier in camps and trenches 
as well as on the battle field any and all aid and encouragement that will 
relieve their suffering and lessen the burdens which they will have to 
bear; and many other good motives too numerous to mention; to this I 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 205 

might add the purpose of our organization during the war was, also, to 
specially interest and promote fellowship, sisterly love and mutual help- 
fulness in keeping the men in military service up to the highest standard 
of efficiency, to stimulate and encourage loyalty and patriotism among 
our citizens and to encourage our men to enlist and serve their country; 
to maintain a helpful co-operation with their families, to unite in actions 
conducive to the welfare of all men and their families engaged in military 
and naval service; to bring together the women related to the American 
soldier, sailor and marine engaged in the international struggle for 
democracy — and lastly, to create and maintain in our membership that 
spirit of sacrificial loyalty and devotion to our country that is becoming 
in those from whose ranks and; homes marched the defenders of the 
American principles." 

And now that the war is over, the object of our order is to aid the 
veterans of the war — those that were spared to return — in re-establish- 
ing themselves in civil life; to help them and their families in again 
maintaining their homes and good citizenship ; to continue in maintain- 
ing the high standard of patriotism aroused during the war; to keep 
alive the purposes for which they fought ; and to perpetuate the memory 
of our loved ones — ^their comrades who made the supreme sacrifice; and 
finally to bring us all together in a common bond of love and sympathy 
and understanding. 

Any loyal American woman who is the wife of or related by blood to 
a soldier, sailor or marine, who has honorably served in the World War 
or has an honorable discharge therefrom, can become an active member 
of this organization. 

We have held three national conventions, the first in June, 1918, at 
Topeka, Kansas, at which convention the following officers were elected: 
Mrs. Lou Ida Martin, Topeka, Kansas, president; Mrs. Alice E. Wilson, 
Bethany, Missouri, first vice-president; Mrs. Maud C. Benedict, Des 
Moines, Iowa, second vice-president; Mrs. Daisy M. Roberts, Oskaloosa, 
Kansas, recording secretary; Miss Nell Sutton, Bethany, Missouri, treas- 
urer; Mrs. Grant Hibarger, Wichita, Kansas, registrar; Mrs. Addie 
Brown, Lawrence, Kansas, historian; Mrs. E. C. Fable, Topeka, Kansas, 
auditor. 

Our last national convention was held at Des Moines, Iowa, in April, 
1920, and the following officers were elected: Mrs. Lou Ida Martin, To- 
peka, Kansas, president; Mrs. Alice E. Wilson, Bethany, Missouri, first 



206 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

vice-president; Mrs. J. A. Benedict, Des Moines, Iowa, second vice-presi- 
dent; Miss Helen K. Ostertag, Atchison, Kansas, patriotic instructor; 
Mrs. Aaron Blanke, Downs, Kansas, registrar; Mrs. Albert Linxwiler, 
Jefferson City, Missouri, recording secretary; Mrs. Glenwood McLain, 
Beaver, Wyoming, treasurer; Miss Thelma Shawhan, Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia, historian; Mrs. T. C. Wilson, Victor, Colorado, chaplain; Mrs. T. 
Robuck, Moberly, Missouri, auditor; Mrs. I. S. Lewis, Topeka, Kansas, 
corresponding secretary. 

Bethany, Harrison County Chapter, has the honor of the first chap- 
ter of the Military Sisterhood organized in Missouri. This chapter was 
organized January 24, 1918, at the home of Mrs. J. C. Wilson, with 
seventy-six charter members and the following officers elected: Mrs. 
J. C. Wilson, president; Mrs. F. H. Broyles, first vice-president; Mrs. A. 
C. Logsdon, second vice-president; Miss Nell Sutton, recording secretary; 
Mrs. Lewis Omer, treasurer; Mrs. F. W. Sawyer, historian; Mrs. Jake 
Noll, auditor; Mrs. E. S. Miner, parliamentarian; Mrs. Bert S. Allen, 
corresponding secretary; Mrs. Glen Broyles, registrar. 

These officers served three years with the exception of Miss Nell 
Sutton, Mrs. Glen Broyles, who served two years, and Mrs. Robert Stock- 
well served the third year in Miss Sutton's place, as her school work 
took her out of the county. Mrs. Ed Skinner sei-ved the third year in 
Mrs. Broyles' place. At our last election the following officers were 
elected: Mrs. A. C. Logsdon, president; Mrs. F. H. Broyles, first vice- 
president; Mrs. H. N. Burgin, second vice-president; Mrs. M. C. Cole, 
recording secretary; Mrs. E. F. Harding, treasurer; Mrs. F. L. Sawyers, 
historian; Miss Mamie Buis, registrar; Mrs. Jake Noll, auditor. 

During the war we did all kinds of war work, such as sending sub- 
stantial supplies and delicacies as well as flowers, books and magazines 
to the soldiers in the hospitals and the camps throughout the United States 
as well as in France and other foreign countries. Our members were 
among the most active Red Cross workers and wherever there was work 
to do the members of the Military Sisterhood were always willing and 
anxious to do their part. 

We made it possible for our country to have the beautiful service 
flag which was dedicated July 4, 1918. This flag was demobolized July 4, 
1920, and a beautiful gold glory flag was presented to the county by the 
Military Sisterhood at the time, this being our "welcome home" day for 
all those who were fortunate enough to return. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 207 

We have a chapter at Moberly known as the "Wilson Chapter," in 
honor of Mrs. J. C. Wilson. We organized a chapter at Des Moines, 
Iowa, and Mrs. J. A. Benedict, a former Bethany girl and sister of the 
lamented Lieutenant Arthur A. Axline, was elected president. This chap- 
ter is known as the "Arthur A. Axline Chapter" in honor of the late 
Lieutenant Axline, of our city, who was killed in the battle of the Argonne. 

Our organization has representatives working from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. 

The constitution provides that the legislative body of the organiza- 
lion shall hold a national convention annually, to be held in April of each 
year, composed of two delegates from each local chapter and alternates 
from each state, the District of Columbia, and from each territorial pos- 
session of the United States. 

We have $1,000.00 in our memorial fund with which he hope to help 
build a memorial building in the city of Bethany in the near future in 
honor and in memory of all those who so willingly gave their all that we 
might continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

We hope within the next ten years to be become one of the strongest 
patriotic organizations in the United States. 

Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The Elizabeth Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution, an organization devoted exclusively to patriotic and historical 
interests, was formed in Bethany, Missouri, October 23, 1913. receiving 
from the national society the chapter number 1161. 

In choosing a name the charter members honored the memory of 
Elizabeth Harrison, the wife of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Dec- 
laration of Independence, and the mother of President William Henry 
Harrison. 

Working along patriotic lines the chapter has been active in inspiring 
celebrations of special days in our national history. Washington's birth- 
day and flag day have always been observed in some befitting manner; 
sometimes with patriotic addresses and parades, at other times with re- 
ceptions with patriotic programs. 

The chapter has also given prizes in gold to pupils in the grammar 
school, writing the best essays on patriotic subjects, and has presented 
the High School with a handsome portrait of General George Washington. 



208 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Historical interest and love of their native heath caused the daughters 
to conduct a column of local history in one of the county newspapers. 
They compiled and published much valuable history, beginning with early 
days before the organization of Harrison County. To aid in this work 
pioneer settlers were persuaded to write articles dealing with life and 
conditions in early days in the county, and these articles were printed in 
the Bethany Republican with pictures of the pioneers and views of early 
scenes in and near Bethany. 

During the great World War the daughters of Bethany participated 
in all war activities and gave leaders to many departments of work. They 
made the first surgical dressings in the county in 1917 under the direction 
of Dr. Frances Burgess and sent the first relief to the Belgians the same 
year. In addition to the regular Red Cross work the members joined 
with other women of the town in providing boxes and barrels of food for 
Harrison County soldiers; in sending pillows, books, magazines; in writ- 
ing letters, prepai'ing Christmas packages and doing everything possible 
that would help sustain the morale of our fighting men. The daughters 
had a beautiful service flag containing twelve blue stars and not one of 
them was turned to gold. They also made the service flag of the county 
for the county superintendent of schools, which he presented to the state 
at Jefferson City, where it is kept on display. 

During the entire period of the war the daughters were foremost in 
Red Cross work. Council of Defense, Liberty Loans and other war activi- 
ties, and furnished the following department chaimien : 

Mrs. E. W. Prentiss, director of Women's Work in American Red 
Cross; chairman Woman's Committee of National Council of Defense; 
district chairman Liberty Loan campaign ; district chairman Young 
Women's Christian Association campaign. 

Mrs. William Roleke, chairman Patriotic Education; chairman of 
Conservation. 

Mrs. A. S. Cumming, assistant chairman of Surgical Dressings for 
American Red Cross. 

Mrs. T. E. Stone, treasurer of American Red Cross Chapter, chair- 
man of Publicity of National Council of Defense; chainnan of Publicity 
for American Red Cross. 

The roster of the Daughters of the American Revolution comprises 
over forty names, Americans all, proud of their heritage which has come 
through generations of loyal ancestors, who have formed the warp and 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 209 

woof of our nation's glory and whose work it is their duty and privilege 
to carry on. 

The twelve charter members: Hazel Wanamaker Allen, Elizabeth 
Hockridge Barlow, Miss Charline Crossan, Lillie Skinner Freusham, Mabel 
Barlow Kautz, Lillian Neville Prentiss, Stella Skinner Joyce, Mary Fuller 
Weber, Bessie Templeman Wanamaker, Harriett Templeman Stone, Miss 
Bess Agnes Vandivert, Marian Templeman Yates, 

Non-resident members : Mrs. Ruth Teas, Mrs. Elizabeth Everett, Miss 
Effie Hart, Mrs. Marie Webb, Miss Ivan Long, Mrs. Emma Arney, Mrs. 
Florence Sanders, Mrs. Bertha Fells, Miss Kathleen White, Mrs Acklyn 
Edson. 

Deceased members: Miss Charline Crossan, Mrs. Edith Roleke. 

Transferred meniljers : Miss Bess Agnes Vandivert to Seattle, Wash- 
ington ; Mrs. Clare Darr Webb to Springfield, Missouri. 

Honor roll: Hazel Allen Alquist, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; 
Elizabeth Barlow, Daniel Wharry, Nev/ York ; Charline Crossan, Lieutenant 
Groton Avery, Connecticut; Mabel Kautz, Daniel Wharry, New York; 
Lillian Prentiss, James Neville, Virginia; Stella Joyce, William Simpson, 
Pennsylvania; Harriett Stone, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Bess 
Agness Vandivert, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia ; Bessie Wanamaker, 
Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Kathleen White, James Neville, Vir- 
ginia; Marian Yates, Sergeant Geoi-ge Patton, Virginia; Mary Weber, 
Mathew Fuller, Vermont ; Martha Wood, Samuel Wood, Virginia ; Florence 
Sanders, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Bertha Fells, Nathaniel Cushman, Con- 
necticut; Maude Frisby, James Neville, Virginia; Effie Hart, Daniel 
Wharry, New York; Edith Roleke, General John Armstrong, Pennsyl- 
vania; Marie Webb, Sergeant John Bryant, Virginia; Loie Brandon, Cap- 
tain William Ward, Massachusetts, Reuben Melvin, Massachusetts; Cora 
Gumming, Samuel Wood, Virginia; Pearl Nelson, Joseph Sylvester; 
Amanda Garton, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Ida Garton, Mathew Fuller 
Vermont; Ruth Teas, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Innie Hamilton, Major 
Nathaniel Burwell, Virginia, Robert Harvey, Virginia; Elizabeth Everett, 
Lieutenant William Wallace, New York, James Wells, New York ; Harriett 
Wilson, William Brown, Pennsylvania; Emma Arney, Mathew Fuller, Ver- 
mont ; Hallie Hubbard, Mathew Fuller, Vermont ; Ivan Long, David Lamb, 
Massachusetts; Daisy Crossan, Lieutenant Groton Avery, Connecticut; 
Shirley Zingerle, Lieutenant Groton Avery, Connecticut; Eva Frisby, 
Thomas Tucker, North Carolina; Lane Frisby, Thomas Tucker, North 
(9) ^ 



210 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Carolina; Acklyn Edson, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Minnie Haas, 
James Bryant, Virginia, John Bryant, Virginia; Maretta Nally, Daniel 
Wharry, New York; Claudia Lee Webb, Lyttleton Cockrell, Virginia; 
Dortehy Slatten, Thomas Tucker, North Carolina; Watie Leazenby, Lyt- 
tleton Cockrell, Virginia ; Irene Bridges, Elijah Evans, Pennsylvania. 



CHAPTER XXII 



CIVIL WAR. 



LOYALTY OF HARRISON COUNTY— MASS MEETINGS— FIRST REGIMENT ORGANIZED 
—OFFICERS— TROOPS OFF TO THE FRONT— "MERRILL'S HORSE"— OTHER 
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS — REGIMENTS — COMPANIES — OFFICERS — 
ENROLLED MISSOURI MILITIA BY GOVERNOR GAMBLE'S ORDER— COMPANIES 
AND OFFICERS. 

The breaking out of the Civil War in 1861 found the citizens of 
Harrison County almost unanimously loyal to the Union. There were 
perhaps twenty-five or thirty men from this county who entered the 
Confederate Army. However no organized effort was ever made for 
recruiting troops in Harrison County for the Confederate Army. 

On June 3, 1861, a mass meeting was held at Bethany which was 
addressed by S. C. Allen, Samuel Downey, William G. Lewis, D. J. Heaston 
and E. Hubbard, all of whom set forth in vigorous and eloquent language 
the necessity of adhering to the Union. Other meetings of a like char- 
acter were held in the summer of 1861 at Mount Moriah, Eagleville, 
Cainsville and other places in the county. In the meantime companies 
of Home Guards were raised and on July 13, 1861, the various organiza- 
tions in the county met at a place called Harrison City for the purpose 
of forming a regiment and electing officers. 

After the regiment was formed it organized by electing Henry O. 
Nevill colonel, George Burris, Sr., lieutenant-colonel and W. P. Robinson 
major. The strength of the different companies that reported themselves 
was as follows : Eagleville Guards, 160 ; Washington, 64 ; Salem, 60 ; Spring- 
field, 90; Pleasant Ridge, 100; Clay, 78; Mount Moriah, 58; Bethany, 60; 
"Rough and Ready," 57; Benton, 80; Gainesville, 60. 

Several other companies of Home Guards were raised during the 
summer of 1861, the majority of the members of which subsequently 



212 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

went to the front in different regiments, and did valiant service for the 
Union cause. 

All of Companies D and E, Twenty-third Regiment Volunteer In- 
fantry, wei-e raised in Harrison County in the summer of 1861. Recruit- 
ing for the regiment commenced in July of that year under the direction 
of Colonel Jacob T. Tindall and Judge Smith, of Gentry and Lynn Coun- 
ties, respectively. Company D was mustered September 22, 1861, with 
the following officers: W. P. Robinson, captain; John A. Fischer, first 
lieutenant, and Lafayette Cornwall, second lieutenant. 

William P. Robinson was promoted colonel of the regiment June 7, 
1862, and was succeeded as captain by John W. Moore, of Eagleville, who 
served as such until the expiration of the term of service, September, 
1864. Lieutenant Fischer resigned his commission January 12, 1863, 
after which time Henry Sweeten filled the position. Lafayette Cornwall 
resigned the second lieutenancy and was succeeded by James A. Brewer. 
The latter resigned January, 1863, from which time until May, 1864, the 
office was held by Joseph H. Ristine. Rustine was promoted first' lieuten- 
ant of Company K in May, 1864, and was succeeded by Meredith Riggin, 
who held that position until the expiration of the term of service. 

Company E, as organized for the service, was officered as follows: 
Archibald Montgomery, captain ; W. R. Simms, first lieutenant, and George 
W. Brown, second lieutenant. 

Archibald Montgomery resigned his commission October, 1862, and 
was succeeded by William R. Simms, who held the position until mustered 
out of the service in 1864. S. A. Thomas was promoted first lieutenant 
December, 1862, resigned July 30, 1863, and was succeeded by John A. 
Martin, who served until the expiration of the term. Second lieutenant 
George W. Brown resigned his commission July 8, 1863. John A. Harper 
was then promoted to the office, and held the same until September, 1864. 

A large portion of Company G was raised in Harrison County; also 
portions of Companies H and L 

The officers of Company G were originally Wat E. Crandall, captain; 
James S. Todd, first lieutenant, and W. McCullough, second lieutenant. 
Officers of Company H: Francis Lisko, captain, and Thomas B. Mikels 
and Ebenezer West, first and second lieutenants, respectively. Company 
I: Captain, John Parker; first lieutenant, T. H. Hollingsworth ; second 
lieutenant, Jeremiah Nash. 

The Twenty-third was made up from the counties of Harrison, Grundy, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 213 

Livingston, Linn, Putnam, Mercer, Daviess and Carroll. The regiment 
entered into active sex'vice in 1861, but participated in no engagements 
until the following year, the principal duty in the meantime being pre- 
serving the peace and protecting the lives and property of Union men 
in the county, where the command was stationed. On April 1, 1862, the 
regiment was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, at which place it 
arrived and its first engagement was at the battle of Shiloh. 

In June, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Benton Barracks, and 
continued on duty there and in the city of St. Louis for some time, when 
they were ordered southward to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland. 
On recovering from his wound received at Shiloh, W. P. Robinson rejoined 
the regiment, and was promoted colonel of the same on June 7, 1862. 
From that time until the expiration of the term he continued in command, 
and did gallant service in the campaigns of the Fourteenth Army Corps, 
participating in a number of engagements, among which were the battles 
of Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and other engagements near Atlanta. 
The Twenty-third Regiment was mustered out of service on September 
22, 1864. 

Company F, Second Missouri Cavalry, "Merrill's Horse." This com- 
pany was recruited in the summer of 1861 as the Harrison County Cavalry 
Company, and, as originally organized, had the following commissioned 
officers: Eli Hannahs, captain; Elijah Hubbard, first lieutenant; William 
T. Foster, second lieutenant. 

In December, 1861, the company was reorganized at St. Louis, as 
Company F, and attached to the Second Cavalry, known as "Merrill's 
Horse," with which it served gallantly until the close of the war. 

The captain at the time of the reorganization was Theodore Pierson, 
who resigned March 4, 1863. His successor, Henry K. Bennett, was trans- 
ferred in May, 1863, to Company B, and on the first of June of the same 
year, George H. Rowell took command. Elijah Hubbard commanded the 
company from the summer of 1863 until mustered out of the service 
September 19, 1865. 

This company performed gallant service in Missouri during the first 
two years of the war, and with the regiment participated in a number of 
battles and skirmishes, besides effectually checking the guerrilla raids in 
various parts of the state. 

Company A, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, was organized in Har- 
rison County, in the summer and fall of 1862, and officered as follows: 



214 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Horace Fitch, captain; James B. Brower, first lieutenant, and Calvin Til- 
ton, second lieutenant. 

The organization of the Thirty-fifth was perfected December 3, 1863, 
and immediately thereafter it took the field. During the greater part of 
that year it was stationed at Helena, Arkansas, and participated in the 
battle at that place, on the Fourth of July, of the same year, and lost 
heavily in the engagement. In June, 1864, the regiment with others, 
under the command of General N. B. Buford, "proceeded down the Mis- 
sissippi River; up the White, to cut off through that into the Arkansas; 
up the last mentioned river into the neighboi-hood of Arkansas Post, for 
the purpose of ascertaining the strength of a Rebel force then organizing 
under Shelby, Daubin and others." Having accomplished their mission 
they returned to Helena, June 26. The following month the regiment 
engaged in a decisive battle with a portion of Shelby and Daubin's forces, 
breaking the enemy's lines three successive times, with the loss of their 
leader, three oflScers and thirty-seven men. During the fall of 1864 and 
the spring and early summer of 1865 the Thirty-fifth was engaged in 
guerrilla warfare, picket and garrison duty. It was honorably discharged 
from the service on June 28, 1865, at Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Company E, Forty-third Infantry. This company consisted of Har- 
rison County men only, and was recruited in the fall of 1864. The organ- 
ization was effected with the following commissioned oflficers: Simeon 
Sutton, captain ; William Canady, first lieutenant, and Daniel D. Boyce, 
second lieutenant. 

The Forty-third was organized as a regiment on September 22, 1864, 
and mustered out of service June 30, 1865. Several companies participated 
in the battle of Glasgow, October 15, 1864, after which, until discharged 
in 1865, the regiment was actively engaged in an irregular guerrilla 
warfare. 

Company H, Twelfth Cavalry, Missouri Volunteers, was organized in 
Harrison County in January, 1864, by Preston Sharp, and numbered about 
sixty men. The officers were S. S. Vansyckle, captain, served from Febru- 
ary, 1864, to April 29, 1864. His successor, John Collar, served from the 
latter date until the regiment disbanded in 1865. The Twelfth Cavalry 
was assigned to duty in Saint Louis in 1864, and later was attached to 
the First Division Cavalry District of West Tennessee, commanded by 
Brigadier General Hatch. Its first battle was an engagement an the Talla- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 215 

hatchie River, near Abbeyville. After performing various kinds of duty 
m northern Mississippi and other parts of the South, the regiment was 
ordered to report to General Dodge, commanding the department of Mis- 
souri, and later was detached and assigned duty in the West. During the 
summer of 1865 the regiment engaged in Indian warfare on the Powder 
River and Yellowstone, in which the men behaved with characteristic 
gallantry. 

Missouri State Militia. Company I, First Cavalry, Missouri State 
Militia, was raised in Harrison County in the spring of 1862. Officers: 
Milton Burris, captain; John H. Smith, first lieutenant, and Daniel Shu- 
mate, second lieutenant, all of whom served until honorably discharged 
in April, 1865. The First Cavalry was commanded by Colonel James 
McFarren, and was engaged principally in guerrilla warfare in various 
counties of Missouri. 

Company E, Third Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, was organized 
April, 1862, with Captain Charles B. McAfee in command. Colonel Walter 
A. King commanded the Third Cavalry, and the principal duty performed 
was operating against guerrillas and bushwhackers, and preserving the 
peace in various counties of the state. 

Company G, Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, Captain John A. 
Page, was organized in the spring of 1862. William Newby was first 
lieutenant and James C. Baker second lieutenant. Under the command 
of Colonel E. Catherwood the Sixth Cavalry performed gallant service 
against guerrillas during the years 1862 and 1863 ; also operated in 
Arkansas and the Indian Nation, and participated in the attack and rout 
of Generals Steele and Cooper, at Perry ville, Choctaw country, battle of 
Backbone Mountain and capture of Fort Smith. During the years 1864 
and 1865 the Sixth participated in a number of engagements, and in the 
campaigns against General Price, among which were the battles of Jeffer- 
son City, Russellville, Boonville, Dover, Independence, Big Blue, Osage, 
Newtonia and others. 

Enrolled Missouri Militia. — In July, 1862, Governor Gamble issued 
an order (No. 19) requiring the loyal men subject to military service to 
organize into companies and regiments. 

In pursuance of this order eleven companies were organized in Har- 
rison County, and formed into what was known as the "Fifty-seventh 
Regiment Enrolled Militia." The first commissioned officers were D. J. 



216 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Heaston, colonel ; James M. Nevill, lieutenant colonel ; William G. Weldon, 
major. Colonel Heaston resigned in a short time, and was succeeded by 
James Neville, and he in March, 1864, by William G. Lewis. 

F. M. Jackson was promoted lieutenant-colonel in August, 1863, and 
served till expiration of term in 1865. The other regimental officers were 
as follows: H. J. Skinner, adjutant; Howard T. Combs, adjutant, suc- 
ceeded the former July, 1863; Elliott P. Bunch, quartermaster; R. H. 
Vandivert, surgeon; Jonathan U. Lewis, surgeon. 

Company A — F. M. Jackson, captain ; succeeded subsequently by John 
S. Hall ; A. J. Allen, first lieutenant ; George Burris, Jr., second 
lieutenant. 

Company B — Simeon Sutton, captain; F. R. Quigley and Richard W. 
Handy, lieutenants. 

Company C — Benjamin S. Ramey, captain ; Benton Salmon and L. G. 
Spuefin, first and second lieutenants, respectively. 

Company D — Captain, J. C. Frisby; first Heutenant, Daniel D. Boyce: 
second lieutenant, William H. Fades. 

Company E — William J. Prater, captain; David Wright and D. S. 
Miller, lieutenants. 

Company F — Stephen C. Allen, captain. The lieutenants were Joseph 
Miller and H. R. Badger. 

Company G — Preston Shari^, captain ; J. C. Anderson, first lieutenant, 
succeeded September, 1862, by Jacob Koontz. The second lieutenant was 
J. C. Anderson. 

Company H — William Canady, captain ; John Canady, first lieutenant ; 
Henry H. Nevill, second lieutenant. 

Company I — James H. Lynch, captain; Felix Randall and AmericuE 
Bunch, lieutenants. 

Company K — William W. Harper, captain; 0. T. Graham, first lieu- 
tenant; William J. Nevill, second lieutenant. 

Company L — James P. Anderson, captain; James Stanbrough and 
George W. Nevill, lieutenants. 

This regiment was organized ostensibly for home protection and 
police duty, subject to be called upon whenever needed. It was called out 
upon three occasions, and in all performed about two months' service. 



CHAPTER XXIII 



THE PRESS. 



FIRST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1S59— EAREY EDITORS— MEN WHO BECAME 
FAMOUS— HARRISON COUNTY PRESS— BETHANY REPUBLICAN— W. J. WIGHT- 
MAN— BETHANY BROAD-AX— OTHER NEWSPAPERS IN THE COUNTY— BETH- 
ANY CLIPPER— TRIBUTE TO EDWIN R. MARTIN — COMPLETE FILES. 

The following article, written by Ada L. Wightman, one of the 
founders of the Bethany Clipper and now deceased, was published in the 
History of Northwest Missouri: "The honor of establishing the first news- 
paper in Harrison County belongs to Edwin R. Martin and Samuel Allen, 
who in 1859 came from Memphis, Missouri, and started the Bethany 
Star, an independent local sheet, the first number of which made its 
appearance August 4, 1859. Martin and Allen were practical printers. 
The paper was a six-column folio. William A. Templenian purchased the 
Star in 1861 and changed the name to the Weekly Union. The circulation 
at this time was about 600. In 1863 Heniy Howe purchased the office 
and changed the name to the Weekly Union of States. The next year 
Mr. Howe's sons, Ed and James Howe, took charge of the office, and con- 
tinued the publication until 1865. Ed Howe is the well-known editor, 
■writer, lecturer and traveler, now of Atchison, Kansas. Thomas D. Neal 
then purchased the office and established the North Missouri Tribune. He 
continued the publication until 1872, at which time it was purchased by 
William T. Foster, and was regularly issued until 1875, when John H. 
Phillebaum purchased the office. Mr. Foster now lives in Washington, 
District of Columbia, and is well known over the country as a weather 
prognosticator. Mr. Phillebaum changed the name of the paper to Harri- 
son County Herald, and published it until 1876, when the office was pur- 
chased by Al. S. Hickman and James P. Berry. The publication was soon 
suspended for want of proper financial support. 

In 1868 the Harrison County Press, a weekly independent sheet, was 



218 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

established by a stock company, with Colonel W. P. Robinson as editor. 
Mr. Robinson was succeeded by Paul Conner, who failed to make the paper 
financially remunerative. D. J. Heaston purchased the paper in 1870 and 
changed the name to the Bethany Watchman. In 1873 the office was 
purchased by a stock company and moved to Grant City. 

The Bethany Republican was established by Thomas D. Neal, May 
22, 1873. He continued as editor until the winter of 1875, when he sold 
out to Walter J. Wightman, who^ changed the name to the Harrison 
County Republican. Mr. Wightman had previously published a paper, the 
Harrison County Eagle, at Eagleville, moving an office to that town in 
1874 from Garden Grove, Iowa. Later a co-partnership was effected with 
Mr. Neal, who subsequently purchased the entire interest, and ran the 
paper until 1881, when P'rank H. Ramer became proprietor and editor. In 
1887 Mr. Ramer disposed of the office to a stock company. The Bethany 
Clipper, which W. J. Wightman conducted in Bethany from January, 1883, 
to December 12, 1887, was consolidated with the Bethany Republican, and 
Mr. Wightman was made business manager and editor, which position 
he held until his death, December 3, 1903. Mr. Wightman had estab- 
lished and published the Eagleville Clipper in 1877 and the Blythedalc 
Clipper in 1880. Since 1887 Nelson Church, Colonel W. P. Robinson, 
Millard F. Stookey, S. G. McDowell, Alex Reid and W. H. Crouch have 
been on the editorial staff. 

The first number of the Bethany Broad-Ax, the democratic organ 
of the county, appeared March 8, 1877, edited by D. J. Heaston and B. F. 
Meyer. In 1881 Mr. Heaston purchased the latter's interest and con- 
tinued the publication alone about one year. He then sold a half interest 
to W. L. Robertson, now of the Gallatin Democrat. J. H. Cover purchased 
the paper in January, 1884, being in charge until 1893, when he sold out 
to John and Will Templeman. Since then the paper has been owned by 
W. S. Van Cleve, D. S. DeMotte, and Dudley Reid. At present the editor 
and owner is S. B. Strock. 

The Eagleville Enterprise was established in 1880 by J. Frank Ward 
and was continued two years. 

The Cainsville Signal was started at Cainsville in 1885 by C. A. 
Brannon, and existed about a year. 

The Cainsville News was established by J. H. Rockwell, of Iowa, in 
April, 1885. S. P. Davidson bought the office in 1887, and later sold to 
J. D. McDaniel, who is now in charge. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 219 

In 1882 M. A. Thorne established the Ridgeway Blade, which existed 
two years. 

The Ridgeway Free Press, by C. C. Bartruff, was started in 1884, 
and continued until 1886. 

The Ridgeway Journal, established by J. F. Jaqua, was afterwards 
purchased by his brother, C. M. Jaqua, who is now editor of the War- 
rensburg Standard Herald. Mr. Jaqua sold to Frank Dougherty; Mr. 
Dougherty to F. M. Spragg and sons, and Messrs. Spragg to Harry Jones, 
who is now in charge. 

One of the first editors of the Gilman City Guide was J. Bowen. 
The paper is now edited by Albert L. Pratt. 

The New Hampton Herald was established by James Graves, who 
also edited a paper at Eagleville. It is now published by B. W. Lanning. 

The Bethany Clipper was established October 14, 1905, and is owned 
and managed by W. Sam and Ada L. Wightman. 

Not often is it recorded that a monument is erected to the memory 
of a printer. But Harrison County paid this tribute to her veteran 
printer, Edwin R. Martin, who died in 1889. Mr. Martin had written a 
book of poems entitled, "Pansy Wreath and Quiet Hours." After his 
death his close friend and co-worker, W. J. Wightman, had these poems 
published in book form and from the sale of the books realized the sum 
of $250, which purchased a substantial and beautiful monument, now 
marking the last resting place of Edwin R. Martin in Miriam Cemetery, 
Bethany. 

Colonel D. J. Heaston, who at different times was connected with 
the newspaper of the county, took a special interest in keeping copies of 
each paper published, and up to the time of his death had complete 
files of all the newspapers published in the county, including the Bethany 
Star, the first paper. The fifty volumes were purchased of the estate 
by W. Sam and Ada L. Wightman, of the Bethany Clipper. 



CHAPTER XXIV 



QUESTION OF COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL. 



REASONS FOR LOCATING COUNTY SEAT— EFFORT TO REMOVE COUNTY SEAT IN 
1870 — THE VOTE BY TOWNSHIPS — MEASURE DEFEATED — DESTRUCTION OF 
COURT HOUSE BY FIRE IN 1874— EFFORT TO REMOVE COUNTY SEAT TO 
LORRAINE — AGAIN DEFEATED — SUBMITTED AGAIN IN 1880 AND DEFEATED — 
REMOVAL TO RIDGEWAY SUBMITTED AND DEFEATED IN 1892 — DEFEATED 
AGAIN IN 1912— BOND ISSUE FOR NEW COURT HOUSE DEFEATED IN 1912. 

The county seat had been located a few miles south of the geographi- 
cal center of the county. The early settlements were generally made with 
reference to timber and water, hence the southern and central parts 
were sought by the pioneers. This in connection with the fact that the 
Iowa boundary line was a matter of dispute between the states in 184-5 
probably induced the commissioners to locate the seat of justice as 
they did south of the center of the county. 

With the increase of the population in the northern part of the 
county, and the settlement of the boundary dispute, a feeling began to 
grow among those in the northern part of the county desiring a re- 
moval of the county seat to a point nearer the geographical center. 

The first definite action was taken in the year 1870 when a peti- 
tion signed by a large number of citizens in the central and northern 
parts of the county was presented to the County Court asking that the 
proposition for removal be submitted to a direct vote of the people. In 
accordance with the law relating thereto the court at the October term, 
1870, entered the following order: 

"Whereas it appearing to the County Court within and for Harrison 
County in the State of Missouri, that at least one-fourth of the legal 
voters of said county have this day submitted a petition to the County 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 221 

Court of said county in words and figures following, to-wit: 

"To the Honorable County Court for Harrison County, State of 
Missouri : 

"We, the undersigned legal voters of Harrison County in the State 
of Missouri, respectfully petition your honorable body for a removal 
of the seat of justice of said county from Bethany in said county, to 
the geographical center of said county, and for an order submitting a 
proposition for such removal to be voted upon by the voters of said 
county at the next general ejection to be held November 8, 1870, and for 
such other orders and proceedings in such case as the law directs. 

"It is therefore ordered by the County Court of said County of 
Harrison in the State of Missouri that at the next general election in 
said county to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 1870, at the usual places 
of voting in said county, the proposition to remove the seat of justice of 
said County of Harrison, from the city of Bethany in said county, to 
the geographical center of said county, the place named in the petition, 
be submitted to the qualified voters of said county." 

Pending the election the friends of removal put forth all their efforts 
in behalf of same, while those opposed made a determined fight to keep 
the county seat at tfie original location. 

The election was held in November with the following result, by 
townships : 

For Removal. Against Removal 

Union Township 181 1 

Bethany Township 39 346 

Cypi-ess Township 4 162 

Sugar Creek Township 160 

Trail Creek Township 93 56 

Madisci Township 125 12 

Clay Township 116 2 

Marion Township 168 130 

Lincoln Township 54 5 

Washington To\vnship 43 3 

Dallas Township 32 33 

White Oak Township 2 89 

Butler Township 93 

Totals 857 1,097 



222 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

This, of course, registered the defeat of the petitioners as by Section 
30, Art. 4 of the Constitution (1865) "two-thirds of the qualified voters of 
the county" was necessary to a removal. See also Wagner's Statutes, Vol. 
1, Art. 2, Chap. 40, Sec. 22, "two-thirds of the legally registered voters 
of such county" required for removal of county seats. 

The destruction of the court house in January, 1874 served to revive 
the controversy and in January, 1874, a large meeting to consider the 
county seat removal was had in Eageville. Committees were appointed 
to circulate petitions asking for another submission to vote upon I'emoval 
and a subscription of $3,000 raised to help defray the expense of erecting 
the necessary public building provided the removal be effected. 

Those in favor of removal selected as the site to which removal was 
asked, the town of Lorraine, situated at the center of section 12, township 
64, range 28, Jefferson Township. It was surveyed into lots, which were 
offered gratuitously to any persons who would erect thereon buildings 
to cost at least $250. 

The citizens of Bethany to counteract these movements raised by sub- 
scription the sum of about $10,000 and put their greatest energy forth to 
secure the rebuilding of the court house. 

The petition asking for the removal was signed by 1,850 voters. 
Under it the court, under the law, ordered the submission to election to 
be held Tuesday, November 3, 1874. 

The election was held accordingly, resulting in a majority in favor of 
removal, but less than the requisite two-thirds. The vote standing for 
removal 1,508, against removal 1,150. It will be noted that whilst those 
for removal had a majority of the votes cast, they had much less than 
the number signing the petition. 

At the general election of 1880 the question of removal of the county 
seat from Bethany to Lorraine was again submitted to vote, resulting in 
1,310 votes for removal and 2,347 votes against removal. 

At the November election, 1892, action was again had on removal 
of the county seat from Bethany. This time to Ridgeway, located on sec- 
tion 3, township 64, range 27, Grant Township. The result of this election 
was 1,480 votes for removal and 2,472 votes against. 

Thus the matter remained at rest until the year 1912 at which, upon 
petition therefor, the County Court again submitted to a vote of the 
people the question of removal of the county seat to Ridgeway, resultino: 
this time in 2,304 votes for removal and 2,708 votes against removal. As 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 223 

this was the last submission to date, battle-scarred old Bethany still flies 
Old Glory from a flag pole on the court house. 

By order of the County Court a special election was had on July 9, 
1912, for the purpose of voting whether there should be an issue of bonds 
for the sum of $100,000 for the building of a new court house. The issue 
of bonds was defeated, the vote standing for the bonds 1,119; against 
the bonds, 2,812. This was the last attempt to build a new court house 
in the county. 



CHAPTER XXV 



LOCAL OPTION ELECTION. 



PETITION FOR ELECTION IN 1888— VOTE BY TOWNSHIPS— SUPREME COURT DECI- 
SION AFFECTING SALE OF INTOXICANTS— SUBMITTED AGAIN IN 1899— THE 
VOTE. 

At an adjourned term of the County Court, held on Tuesday, April 3, 
1888, there were present Albert Reeves, Presiding Judge, and Jonn A. 
DeLong, Associate Judge ; W. H. A. Gillespie, Sheriff, and Wm. P. Robin- 
son, Clerk. When, among others, the following proceedings were had : 
"In the matter of petition for election on local option: 
"Now comes John S. Allen, Sr., and others, and presents to the court 
a petition signed by 585 qualified voters of the County of Harrison, asking 
the court to order an election to determine whether or not spirituous and 
intoxicating liquors, including wine and beer, should be sold within the 
limits of said county, said election to be ordered and conducted under the 
provisions of an Act of the Legislature of said state approved April 5, 1887, 
entitled an Act for the preventing of the evils of intemperance by local 
option in any county in this state and in cities of 2,500 inhabitanis or 
more, by submitting the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating 
liquors, to the qualified voters of such county or city, to provide penalties 
for its violation and for other purposes. And it appearing to the court that 
more than one-tenth of the qualified voters of said county have signed 
said petition and it is further proven to the court that there is no city 
or town in said County of Harrison having 2,500 or more inhabitants ; It is 
therefore ordered by the court that an election be held in said Harrison 
County on Saturday, May 12, 1888, at the usual voting precincts for 
holding general elections for state officers, to detennine whether or not 
spirituous and intoxicating liquors shall be sold within the limits of such 
county. Such election shall be conducted, the returns thereof be made, 
and the results thereof ascertained and determined in accordance in all 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 225 

respects with the laws of this state governing general elections for county 
officers. That all persons voting at such election who are against the sale 
of intoxicating liquors shall have written or printed on their ballots the 
words, 'against the sale of intoxicating liquors,' and those who are in 
favor of the sale of intoxicating liquors shall have written or printed on 
their ballots, the words 'for the sale of intoxicating liquors.' 

"It is further ordered that notice of said election be given by publica- 
tion in the Bethany Republican for four consecutive weeks, the last inser- 
tion to be within ten days next before said election." 

At special term of the County Court held May 21, 1888, appears the 
following record: 

"Conies now W. P. Robinson, county clerk, and presents the follow- 
ing certificate: 

"We, the undersigned A. A. Williams and T. B. Ellis, Justices of the 
Peace of Bethany Township, Harrison County, Missouri, and W. P. Robin- 
son, County Clerk of said county, hereby certify that on May 16, 1888, we 
canvassed the vote of the various townships cast at the special election 
held in Harrison County, Missouri, on Saturday, May 12, 1888, for and 
against the sale of intoxicating liquor and find the following : 

Majority Majority 

Township For Against For Against 

Sugar Creek 33 32 1 

For Creek 24 59 ___ 35 

Trail Creek 47 98 ___ 51 

Madison 1 64 130 ___ 66 

Clay 29 58 ___ 29 

Adams 44 58 ___ 14 

Sherman 49 52 ___ 3 

Grant Center 18 20 ___ 2 

Grant-Ridgeway 26 77 ___ 51 

Marion 29 86 ___ 57 

North Colfax 8 36 ___ 28 

South Colfax 25 62 ___ 37 

Cypress 54 41 13 

Bethany 227 159 68 

Jefferson East 27 38 ___ 11 

Jefferson West 38 28 10 

(10) 



226 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Union 19 

Hamilton 21 

Butler 62 

White Oak 100 

Dallas 22 

Washington 30 

Lincoln 40 



70 





51 


50 





19 


53 


9 





80 


20 





89 





67 


60 





30 


52 


— 


12 



1036 1488 121 573 

"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 16th day of 
May, 1888. 

"A. A. Williams, J. P. 

"T. B. Elhs, J. P. 

"W. P. Robinson, County Clerk." 

It appearing to the court from the certificate of the County Clerk and 
the two Justices of the Peace that assisted him in canvassing and casting 
up the votes given at the special election held on May 12, 1888, in Harrison 
County, Missouri, that there were cast against the sale of intoxicating 
liquors at said election 1,488 votes and for the sale of intoxicating liquors 
1,036 votes, making a majority of 452 votes against the sale of intoxicat- 
ing liquor, it is ordered that the said certificate of said Clerk and Justices 
of the Peace be entered of record and it is further ordered that this 
order showing the result of said special election shall be published once a 
week for four consecutive weeks in the Bethany Republican, being the same 
newspaper in which the notice of said election was published. 

The Act of 1887 above contained a provision that if a majority of 
the votes cast at such election be against the sale of intoxicating liquors 
that it should not be lawful for any person within the limits of the county 
to directly or indirectly sell, give away or barter in any manner what- 
ever intoxicating liquors or beverage containing alcohol in any quantity 
whatever, under penalties prescribed. 

At the time of the adoption of the Act by the county and prior thereto 
the sale of intoxicating liquors was under dramshop license therefor, which 
of course was wiped out by the adpotion of the local option law. 

But there was also in effect a law governing druggists and pharmacists 
which permitted the sale by them under written prescription of a registered 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 227 

and practicing physician given to an actual patient and it was thought by 
many that this permission was abrogated by the absolute forbidding clause 
above quoted, but this mooted question soon reached the Supreme Court 
for decision where it was decided, under the rule that laws made upon the 
same subject should be construed together that the local option law was 
not aimed at the permission of the pharmacist but only at the general 
traffic. 

This local option was considered in force and prosecuted under for 
several years, but finally doubts arose as to the sufficiency of the length 
of notice of the required publication in adoption, and it was abandoned, 
and for a time prosecutions thereunder were discontinued. 

But in 1899 another petition for submission of said law to an election 
was filed, and an order was made submitting the adoption of said law to 
such vote, said election was held pursuant to said order on December 9, 
1899, and resulted in the adoption of said law by a majority of 652 votes, 
1,445 for adoption and 793 against adoption, and it again became the law 
of the county and remained in force until the taking effect of prohibition 
on January 16, 1920. 



CHAPTER XXVI 



SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLE. 



ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY G, FOURTH REGIMENT — OFFICERS — MUSTER ROLL- 
VACANCIES FILLED — COMPANY CALLED TO MEXICAN BORDER— MOBILIZA- 
TION AT NEVADA — ENTERTAINED BY CITIZENS AT BETHANY — OFFICERS — 
PRIVATES — CHRISTMAS ON THE BORDERS-OFFICERS AND PRIVATES AT 
THAT TIME — SPANISH AMERICAN WAR — COMPANY D. FOURTH UNITED 
STATES VOLUNTEERS— OFFICERS AND MEN. 

Organization of Company G, Fourth Regiment, M. N. C. 

A meeting was held in Bethany, on Thursday, January 29, 1914, both 
afternoon and night in the K. P. Castle Hall for the purpose of examing 
recruits for a militia company, to be organized in our city. About eighty 
had signed the muster roll and a company was assured. 

Major D. W. Stepp and Lieutenant Belshe of Trenton, were here at 
this meeting and the organization of Company G, Missouri National Guard, 
was perfected with a membership of more than sixty. The following 
officers were elected at this time: Captain, Randall Wilson; First Lieut- 
enant, F. M. FVisby; Second Lieutenant, W. P. Bryant. 

Muster Roll. 

Russell Ballard Leslie Porter 

W. J. Diers Harry Webb 

Herbert Sutton Jackson Walker 

A. A. Axline James Hampton 

Paul Flint William Hampton 

Hoyt Tilley Joe Neal 

Ross Barry Lemmie Devers 

George Bryant Ben Crouch 

Edwin Wightman James Hogan 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 229 

Joe Dale Floyd James 

R. L. Buis Oka Miller 

Bud Wilkinson John Walker 

W. A. Broyles Virgil Nelson 

Joe Burris Charles Wiatt _ 

James Howery Hughbert Cushman 

Russell Gale 0. C. Street 

Balaam Miles H. L. Collins 

John Harbour D. F- Salmon 

Clyde Sweeten Elmer Michael 

• Charles Cross Willie James 

L. C. Taylor Roy McCollum 

Wren Smith Harvey Vandiver 

Byron Meek ' Karl Roleke 
Cleo Burris 

Tuesday, March 9, 1915, Company G held an election at their armory 
for the purpose of electing a first lieutenant, the vacancy being caused by 
the resignation of Lieutenant F. M. Frisby. Lieutenant W. P. Bryant was 
nominated and as no other nominations were announced was elected first 
lieutenant, unanimously. Lieutenant Bryant made good as second lieuten- 
ant, and was well deserving of his new office. The office of first lieutenant 
being filled the second lieutenant's office was open and Sergeant Axline, 
Sergeant Kavanaugh, Corporal Crouch were nominated. Sergeant Axline 
being elected by a vote of twenty-two of the members of Company G. The 
Bethany papers in speaking of the promotion of Axline said : "There was 
not a better qualified or more deserving member of the company than 
Sergeant Axline for second lieutenant." 

There were several non-commissioned offices vacant at this time and 
were appointed in the near future best men of company. Then followed 
a period of weekly drills and a state encampment and on June 8, 1916, 
Captain Wilson received official communication that men would receive 
$1.00 per drill and same to go into effect July 1. 

In June, 1916, Company G was called to the colors by order of the 
President and sent to the Mexican border to protect the lives and property 
of the citizens of the United States from outrages that were being com- 
mitted by Mexican outlaws. 

Company G, National Guard of Missouri, with headquarters in Bethany 



230 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

were ready to move to their point of mobilization, Nevada, Missouri, and 
all members of the company who were willing to take the oath of loyalty 
to the United States, were under arms to be sent to the Mexican border. 
At this time there was no law to compel any member of the National 
Guard to take the oath and leave his state to engage in warfare. 

A banquet and entertainment was given Company G Tuesday, June 
20, 1916, under the auspices of Bethany Commercial Club. There were 
fathers, mothers, wives, brothers, sisters and sweethearts at the enter- 
tainment which followed the banquet, and while the occasion was a sad one, 
all were of the opinion that "our boys" were going forth in defense of the 
grand old Flag — ^the Flag of flags. 

C. J. Carter acted as master of ceremonies and the following program 
was carried out: 

Company G marched from the dining room to auditorium of hall while 
the Bethany Orchestra played the Star Spangled Banner. 

Address by Mayor Roleke. His remarks were well received by all. He 
read the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : 

"Whereas — Company G, National Guard of Missouri, has been called to 
protect and defend the flag of our country, because of differences arising 
between our neighbor republic, Mexico and ourselves ; be it 

"Resolved — We the citizens of Bethany and Harrison County, State of 
Missouri, most heartily endorse the patriotism and readiness shown by 
Company G, National Guard of Missouri, to protect the flag, which stands 
for Freedom, Home and Country. Be it further 

"Resolved — While we regret the unfortunate circumstances necessit- 
ating this call to arms, which takes from our midst the youth and bloom 
of our manhood. Having true confidence in their ability, bravery and pa- 
triotism, we humbly bow and bid them God-speed." 

Remarks by F. M. Frisby. 

"America," by audience. 

Remarks by Dr. J. Walker. 

Remarks by Dr. A. H. Vandivert. 

Entertainment by Bethany Minstrels. 

Remarks by Captain Randall Wilson. 

Remarks by Lieutenant W. P. Bryant. 

"Star Spangled Banner," by audience. 

Company G left Bethany for Nevada June 23. Harry Webb remained 
here as a recruiting oflficer until June 27, when he went to Nevada with 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



231 



eight new recruits. The following was the roster of Company G who went 
to Nevada. Several did not sign up for service out of the state and returned 
home before the rest of the company went on to the border. 

Captain — Randall Wilson. 

First Lieutenant — William P. Bryant. 

Second Lieutenant — Arthur A. Axline. 

First Sergeant — Leslie R. Porter. 

Quarter Master Sergeant — Herman Kavanaugh. 

Sergeants — Roy L. Buis, James Hampton, Ben G. Crouch. 

Coiporals — William J. Diers, George G. Bryant, Harley L. Collins, 
Watkins A. Broyles, Russell J. Ballard, Herbert Wilkerson. 

Cooks — James Taylor, Lemmie Devers. 

Musicians — Edwin Wightman, William H. Hampton. 

Artificer — Oaka G. Miller. 

Privates. 



Earl W. Brough 
Ross Barry 
Cleo Burris 
Bayard Burgin 
Charlie Cross 
Joseph Dale 
Ash Easton 
Russell K. Gale 
John Harbor 
Floyd James 
Byron Meeks 
Balaam Miles 
Michael McCollum 
James Mitchell 
Arthur Riley 
Delbert Salmon 
Wren Smith 
Floyd Stevenson 
Clyde Stevenson 
Argil Tilley 
Omer Tobias 



Harvey Vandiver 
John W. Walker 
Charles R. Wiatt 
Alva Wilkinson 
Jam.es Hogan 
Orval Fruit 
William Stadlea 
Ernest King 
Glen Yeater 
Fred Higgins 
Joseph Burris 
John H. Casebolt 
Hughbert Cushman 
Lester K. Estep 
Paul Flint 
James Howery 
Lloyd Hardy 
William K. James 
Elmer Michaels 
Lee G. Morris 
Roy McCollum 



232 HISTOKY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Virgil Nelson Carlisle C. Wilson 

Karl Roleke James R. Taylor 

Harry Smith Fritz Chipp 

Oscar C. Street John Maize 

Herbert Sutton Laten Oliver 

Lester C. Taylor Harley Henry 

Hoyt G. Tilley Ted Opdyke 

Oliver Tchudin Perry Myers 

Jack E. Walker John JYanklin 

Harry Webb N. M. Strait 

At Christmas time at their camp in Laredo, Texas, Company G boys 
enjoyed a splendid Christmas day and were served the following menu : 

Breakfast. 

Ham and Eggs 
Cakes Coffee 

Dinner. 

Oyster Cocktail 
Olives Cold Slaw 

Roast Young Turkey 
Cranberry Sauce Oyster Dressing 

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy 

Parker House Rolls Sliced Tomatoes 

Cake Ice Cream Mince Pie Apples 

Cigars Cigarettes 

Supper. 

IHirkey Pot Pie Jam . 

Creamed Sweet Com French Fried Potatoes 

Pumpkin Pie Coffee Cigars Cigarettes 

At this time Captain Wilson, commanding Company G, had under his 
command the following officers and men : 
First Lieutenant — William P. Bryant. 
Second Lieutenant — Arthur A. Axline. 
First Sergeant — Leslie Porter. 
Mess Sergeant — Carlisle R. Wilson. 
Supply Sergeant — Herman L. Kavanaugh. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



233 



Ray L. Buis 
James M. Hampton 
Ben G. Crouch 



William J. Diers 
George W. Bryant 
Herbert Wilkinson 
Jack E. Walker 



Lemmis Devers 



Burgin, Bayard T. 
Burris, Joseph 
Dillon, Oscar N. 
Hardy, Lloyd E. 
Higgins, Fred 
Hollar, Everett R. 
James, William K. 
Miles, Balaam B. 
McCollum, Michael 
Smith, Wren 
Taylor, Leslie C. 
Walker, John H. 
Webb, William H. 
Wilkinson, Alva 
Chipp, Fritz H. 



Sergeants. 

Russell J. Ballard 
Watkins A. Broyles 
Harley L. Collins 

Corporals. 

Robert H. Cowan 
Omar M. Tobias 
Paul Flint 
Hoyt G. Tilley 

Ooks. 

Ora G. Moore 

Bugler. 

Edwin S. Wightman 

Mechanic. 

Charles Cross 

Privates. 

Dale, Joseph D. 
Darby, Alva 
Duncan, Frank 
Easton, Ashmond L. 
Estep, James K. 
Fi-anklin, John H. 
Fruit, Orval 
Henry, Harley 
Hogan, James G. 
Hunt, Herman R. 
King, Ben 
Maize, John 
Manor, John D. 
Marcum, Preston N. 
Marsh, Willie D. 



234 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

Meek, Byron Standlea, William M. 

Michael, Elmer A. Stevenson, Floyd E. 

Mitchell, James H. Strait, Noel 

Myers, Perry Steuart, Pearson D. 

Nelson, James V. Sutton, Herbert D. 

Oliver, Laben C. Tobias, John B. 

Opdyke, Ted VanHoozer, Carl V. 

Rupe, Andrew P. Wiatt, Charley W. 

Scott, Robert D. Yeater, Glen 

A number of "G" boys signed up for service out of the state for dura- 
tion of their original enlistment only, and as their time expired they re- 
turned home and took up their various walks in life, some in stores, in 
banks, in offices, others back to their Work in school. But in March, 1917, 
all the boys were home from border sei-vice. At this time another great 
banquet was given by the Commercial Club and many had the opportunity 
to hear Captain Wilson's interesting speech wherein he gave a brief synopsis 
of what his company had done. Captain Wilson saying "Not a better 
company on border." 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 
Company D, Fourth Regiment, United States Volunteers. 

When the United States declared war against Spain, Harrison County 
responded promptly. Company D, Fourth Regiment, under Capt. J. F. 
Slinger, left Bethany for service on May 10, 1898. This company spent 
several months in various military cantonments, although it never saw any 
service out of the United States. 

Tuesday, May 10, 1898, is a day long remembered in the history of 
Bethany for it was the day when Company D, Fourth Regiment Missouri 
National Guards started for the Missouri troops rendezvous at Jefferson 
Barracks, St. Louis. The Saturday before Captain Slinger had received 
orders to have his company ready to entrain on Tuesday, and immediately 
plans were laid to give the boys a pleasant send-off. A dinner was pre- 
pared by the Bethany ladies and served in the armory. Promptly at noon 
Company D assembled at the bugle call and Chief Marshall R. H. Wren 
and his aides, John M. McPherson, Jere Weidner and Joseph Newland, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



235 



formed the procession to escort the company to the depot. It is said that 
in that day there had never before been such a crowd in Bethany. 
Below are the names and addresses of the members of the company : 



J. F. Slinger, Captain, Bethany. 

H. L. Stark First Lieut., Bethany. 

R. J. Ramer, Second Lieut., Bethany. 

Bert Wren, First Sergt., Bethany. 

Freeman Frost, Second Sergt., Beth- 
any. 

M. G. Morgan, Third Sergt., Bethany 

C. R. Lawrence, Fourth Sergt., 
Bethany. 

J. W. Bradley, Musician, Bethany. 

J. M. Addison, Cainsville. 

Lawrence Arney, Bethany. 

Fred Arrasmith, Bethany. 

Harry Baker, Mt. Moriah. 

C. L. Bartlett, Bethany. 

E. M. Berkhimer, Gilman City. 

Jay C. Barber, Eagleville. 

J. W. Cook, Bethany. 

C. 0. Cumming, Bethany. 

Dan T. Davis, Bethany. 

G. T. Dill, Bethany. 

Roy Dunkle, Martinsville. 

Joseph Fades, Bethany. 

E. E. Easton, Andover. 

Charles Epperson, Bethany. 

George W. Foster, New Hampton. 

J. R. Friend, Bethany. 

Fred Fruit, Bethany. 

C. S. Glenn, Martinsville. 

W. P. Glenn, Martinsville. 

E. Hall, Cainsville. 

William Heaston, Bethany. 

E. W. Hendren, Bethany. 

A. T. Hogan, Bethany. 



Maurice Hook, Bethany. 
R. C. Hughes, Bethany. 
Jacob Jennings, Bethany. 
D. L. King, Mt. Moriah. 
J. V. King, Mt. Moriah. 
J. W. King, Gardner. 
R. G. Lawrence, Bethany. 

B. V. Lewis, Bethany. 

A. A. Long, Mt. Moriah. 
M. Long, Mt. Moriah. 
R. E. Medworth, Bethany. 

F. C. Misner, Mt. Moriah. 
J. D. Milligan, Bethany. 

A. V. Madden, New Hampton. 
Clyde Neville, Bethany. 
0. P. Noah, Bethany. 
J. M. Osborn, Blue Ridge. 
A. Perkins, Ridgeway. 
A. L. Piburn, Bethany. 
H. G. Potter, Blue Ridge. 
H. M. Poynter, Bethany. 
Elmer Pryor, Ridgeway. 
W. M. Reed, Bethany. 
Harry Robinson, Bethany. 
J. W. Rupe, Martinsville. 
W. H. Smith, Blythedale. 

G. C. Stevens, Andover. 
Samuel C. Spence, Gardner. 
Albert Stewart, Tx'enton. 
G. H. Smith, Martinsville. 

C. S. Smith, Andover. 
Fred Sutton, Bethany. 
Ed Taylor, Bethany. 
James Taylor, Bethany. 



236 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



C. O. Toombs, New Hampton. 
L. E. Terry, Bethany. 
Charles Taylor, Bethany. 
Lewis Walter, Gilman City. 
William Weese, Bethany. 
E. A. Whitaker, Bethany. 
S. H. Willard, Hatfield. 
T. L. Williams, Bethany. 



Stanton Williams, Bethany. 
James Wilson, Bethany. 
R. E. Wooden, Bethany. 
T. H. Woodress, Bethany. 
J. E. Young, Bethany. 
J. S. Woodward, Cainsvllle. 
C. 0. Young, Blythedale. 



CHAPTER XXVII 



WORLD WAR. 



UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR— RESPONSE OF HARRISON COUNTY— SOL- 
DIERS FROM HARRISON COUNTY — COMPANY G CALLED INTO ACTIVE SERV- 
ICE — OFFICERS — PRIVATES — THIRTY-SIX GOLD STARS — FORTY COMMIS- 
SIONED OFFICERS FROM HARRISON COUNTY — CITED FOR DISTINGUISHED 
SERVICE — IN FLANDERS FIELDS — ANSWERS — SUMMARY OF WORLD WAR. 

It is not in the province of this history or within the purview of this 
short chapter to attempt a history of the great World War which threat- 
ened the very foundation of civihzation and affecting every nation in the 
world. 

President Wilson, in his speech before Congress, April 6, 1917, used 
the following eloquent and forceful words which found a spontaneous 
response throughout all America: 

"Let everything that we say, my fellow countrymen, everything that 
we henceforth plan and accomplish, ring true to this response till the 
majesty and might of our concerted power shall iill the thought and utterly 
defeat the force of those who flount and misprize what we honor and hold 
dear. 

"Germany has once more said that force, and force alone, shall decide 
whether justice and peace shall reign in the affairs of men, whether right 
as America conceives it, and dominion, as she conceives, shall determine 
the destinies of mankind. 

"There is, therefore, but one response for us; force, force to the 
utmost, force without stint or limit, the righteous and triumphant force 
which will make the law of the world, and cast selfish dominion down in 
the dust." 

Harrison County generously and nobly did her part in the great World 
War in both men and money. 



238 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



The following is a list of 
World War: 

Joseph T. Arnold 
George N. Allen 
A. A. Axline 
Lonie Adams 
Arnold Allen 
Horace Allen 
LeRoy Allen 
Cecil D. Alley 
Arthur Alley 
Carl Amthes 
Claude Allen 
Arnold C. Allen 
Clarence Arrasmith 
Lewis Adams 
Low G. Adams 
Lee R. Allen 
Charles Ashford 
Noel T. Adams 
George Guy Adams 
Clinton Allen 
E. Gray Adams 
Williard C. Anderson 
George A. Ausmen 
Gilbert K. Arney 
Robert E. Alsup 
Arvel D. Allman 
John E. Anderson 
Russell J. Ballard 
Leroy Ray Buis 
Larence Bundy 
John Harvey Banks 
Edgar Burton Bennett 
Tony W. Bears 
S. C. Browning 
Jess M. Brown 
G. H. Broyles 



Harrison County boys who served during the 

"W. A. Broyles 
George Bryant 
E. R. Burton 
Bayard T. Burgin 
R. C. Baker 
Leslie Bandy 
R. E. Bain 
Ora Bain 

James T. Browning 
Raymond Beeks 
C. L. Beldon 
George A. Bell 
Claude T. Best 
Finis Black 
Vernon Bloomfield 
Vern Bondurant 
George Bocher 
Earl Bowen 
Garland Bradney 
Will E. Bray 
Paul H. Booher 
C. H. Bridges 
Hugh Briniger 
Gordon Brown 
Jacob Burks 
Carl Burris 
Max Bronkhorst 
Ernest Burton 
Truman Burton 
Walter Bussell 
Adam Butcher 
Lloyd Brown 
W. Claude Brown 
Harvey R. Birt 
Raymond Burk 
Truman A. Bolar 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



239 



Charles Binii 
D. Brazell 
Joseph E. Blake 
Elvis Baker 
George Bergin 
Herbert P. Bishop 
Elmer A. Bro^vn 
Paul Brown 
Thomas E. Barbour 
Jesse Floyd Bollinger 
Garland R. Bartlett 
Herbert P. Bishop 
Leslie C. Blessing 
Winfield 0. Bowen 
Gleen D. Barth 
Francis A. Bartlett 
John D. Bender 
Salmon E. Bosley 
John W. Ballew 
Earl C. Brown 
Elmer C. Brill 
Cleo S. Buzzard 
Dee C. Brock 
Bertrum Bryant 
Verbal S. Ballard 
George A. Bell 
Clark Biddison 
Cleveland A. Baker 
Oran K. Blessing 
Oren E. Bain 
John R. Burk 
Jesse M. Brown 
Ira L. Buchanan 
Lawrence L. Bandy 
Robert C. Baker 
Harvey Brit 
George Brill 
Thomas H. Bishop 



Cleveland A. Baker 
John H. Banks 
Lue E. Baker 
Claude Best 
Harry E. Bicksler 
Blaine W. Butler 
Johnson C. Barnett 
Dolph Cain 
William Campbell 
W. G. Carson 
Ira B. Chapman 
J. W. Childs 
Chester Colvert 
Robert H. Cowan 
Newton Campbell 
Frank Clapham 
W. M. Claybaugh 
W. Blain Clutter 
Fred Clifton Collins 
Raymond Clinkenbeard 
Charles Carter 
John A. Cook 
Lewis H. Clutter 
Lewis M. Cook 
Nova H. Courter 
Arthur Cable 
Floyd Collins 
John 0. Cooper 
Clifford D. Chandler 
Thomas F. Christie 
Onas A. Cunniff 
Manley S. Claytor 
Ernest A. Cummins 
Vernice C. Clutter 
James A. Cutshall 
Charles E. Carter 
Hershel Clark 
Orville Claytor 



240 



HISTORY 



Butch B. Courtier 
Dale J. Campbell 
Leonard D. Cook 
Clifford C. Cisco 
Harry W. Corbin 
B. Leo Craig 
Roy E. Curtier 
Ben G. Crouch 
Ellis M. Cogdill 
Ralph E. Campbell 
Alvan S. Crump 
Verne B. Campbell 
Roy W. Clark 
William G. Crabtree 
John W. Gumming 
Jess L. Chambers 
William G. Campbell 
Ernest E. Cox 
Ed Carrico 
Ora E. Campbell 
Chester C. Colvert 
Frank Y. Cramer 
Guy G. Crosby 
Melverne C. Cole 
Hubbard R. Cotton 
John D. Cowen 
Floyd L. Cochran 
Lawrence M. Crossan 
Joe Dale 
William J. Diers 
Frank Duncan 
C.N. Dillon 
Edmond Domey 
Bert Davis 
George Davis 
John D. Dickerson 
Clyde 0. Dyer 
Ray J. Dewitt 



OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Forest C. Deal 
Poter Davis 
John W. Dailey 
Hiram G. Depriest 
Roy E. Dennis 
Earl C. Duncan 
Ross D. F. Dale 
Dean W. Davisson 
Paul J. Davis 
Thomas W. Delf 
George J. Dillon 
R. G. Dewitt 
Frank Davisson 
Russell Edison 
Simpson B. Ely 
LeRoy Evans 
George W. Easton 
Lester C. Eberhart 
Merrett C. Edson 
Hugh E. Estep 
Floyd L. Edwards 
Will ElUs 
Ashmon L. Easton 
WiUiam J. Eckerson 
Gus V. Etter 
Clyde F. Elmore 
John Fitzgerald 
Edward Flint 
Paul Flint 
Clyde Fowler 
J. E. Frisby 
Orval Fruit 
Berlie Fletchall 
John Fassaris 
Joseph H. Frazier 
John W. Fitzgerald 
Charles H. Foster 
Walker S. Flint 




ARMY TRANSPORT TRUCKS PASSING THROUGH BETHANY 
DURING WORLD WAR 




COMPANY G. 4TH REGIMENT. LEAVING BETHANY FOR THE 
MEXICAN BORDER 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



241 



Joe H. Flint 
James F. Frame 
Joseph A. Frazier 
Arthur Fowler 
John Farber 
Clarence Fosdick 
George W. Frazier 
Joseph G. Fridley 
Guy H. Furgerson 
Oren L. Frizzel 
Ivan M. Fancher 
Claude B. Flint 
Fred Flint 
Eddie Ray Funk 
Joseph Frazier 
Russell Gale 
George Garton 
Walter Gleason 
Elmer W. Gibson 
Fern M. Graham 
Carl Gillespie 
Will E. Gray 
Amos Gillespie 
Elmer W. Gibson 
George E. Garton 
Dave Gilland 
C. Garvin Gunn 
Harry R. Gannon 
Jean M. Gibson 
Samuel Gault 
W. Neal Guyman 
Carl Gibson 
Emmett E. Griffith 
David H. Goucher 
Frank G. Glendening 
Forest W. Girdner 
Max S. Gutridge 
Carl George 
(11) 



Darry L. Good 
Loyd Hardy 
Charles Hammons 
Otto P. Harris 
Cecil Harris 
Alexander Harrison 
Samuel Harvey 
Harley Henry 
Fred Higgens 
Harry Hefiner 
Jerdie Hogan 
Ray Hollar 
Glen V. Howell 
David Hoskridge 
Clair Hughes 
Delmer Hubbard 
Virgil Hunt 
Earl Hunter 
Earl J. Howell 
David Hannah 
Roy Hobbs 
Lee Harris 
George Higgins 
Henry Homan 
William Hiatt 
John Hiatt 
Clarence Henford 
Leland L. Harvord 
John B. Hannah 
Otis Hohn 
Luther H. Hams 
Richard L. Higdon 
Elmer D. Hamilton 
Charles E. Hammack 
William H. Hampton 
Vernie W. Hoover 
Malcolm E. Haskins 
John W. Haddock 



242 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Clifton Hix 
Frank Hawkins 
Jacob Hohn 
Otis Hahn 
Lcland L. Harbord 
Dee Hunter 
James E. Howery 
Arthur W. Hammons 
Frank H. Hofner 
Richard L. Higdon 
Forest S. Hunt 
Joseph C. Harrold 
James W. Henry 
Harry 0. Hefner 
Earl C. Hunter 
Joseph C. Harrold 
James W. Henry 
V. V. Hinkle 
Henry F. Honan 
Jacob C. Henry 
Frank Hunt 
Benjamin H. Imes 
Ercelle W. Johnson 
Nichols W. Johnson 
Paul G. Johnson 
Arch Jones 
Glen W. Joyce 
Van L. Jennings 
Floyd Johnson 
Gormer S. Jordan 
Ben H. Jackson 
Harry L. Jarman 
Floyd D. James 
Iven Jinks 
Glen W. Joyce 
Dennie Jinks 
William K. James 
A. Floyd James 



Robert Kabel 
J. W. King 
Ben King 
Roy R. Kelley 
Bertie Kinkade 
Russell Kennedy 
Frank Kinder 
Bert L. Kinkade 
Ray R. Kelley 
Herman L. Kavanaugh 
Doris I. Kies 
Oscar L. King 
Walter Kelley 
Joseph C. Kinkade 
George D. Kinkade 
G. B. Kelley 
Albert C. Lacey 
Homer Lewis 
Roe M. Lotz 
John S. Long 
Max Lotz 
Fred Logsdon 
Ernest A. Long 
Everett L. Luellen 
Hugh B. Liberly 
Ray H. Lovell 
Francis E. Lovell 
Sylvester Long 
Lloyd Long 
M. A. Larkins 
Milford Lovell 
Chester A. Leggett 
William A. Little 
John T. Lacy 
Ellis S. Lawrence 
Charles M. Lowe 
John A. Layman 
Fred L. Liberey 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



243 



A. L. Layman 

Everett Lewis 

M. G. Layson 

Lloyd Lowe 

Orion G. Logan 

Orville Lindman 

George E. Land 

Ota M'Gee 

Michael McCauU 

Ralph McClain 

Neal McCollun 

Cecil G. McDaniel 

Ben McKinley 

Harold McCorkle 

Lee G. McCoy 

J. Owin McCue 
Dewey McDaniel 
Don V. McClure 
Wiley McGowan 
Harry McKim 
Leroy H. McLey 
Robert G. McTeer 
Lewis J. Mcintosh 
Vernon McNeeley 
Pet. Mcintosh 
Cecil G. McDaniel 
Joseph L. McGowan 
Will Carlton MaGee 
Herman J. MaGee 
Frank McEhilney 
John D. Manor 
John Maise 
Lloyd E. Maple 
Willie Marsh 
Clair Martin 
George E. Martin 
John H. Martz 
Byron Meek 



Jim Mitchell 
Robert Mock 
Wilbur Monson 
Willis Molton 
Wilbert W. Myers 
Morroway Marsh 
Charles M. Myers 
Martin Mock 
RoUa Moore 
Earl Morris 
Tom Murray 
Guy Morris 
Roy W. Murrin 
Ora Moore ^ 
Hugh Markey 
James C. Mitchell 
Lee 0. Murray 
Orville Mullinx 
Vernon 0. Moss 
Thomas R. Mullinx 
Howard P. Martz 
E. R. Marks 
Robert Mayhugh 
R. G. Michaels 
Maurice L. Mathew 
Elmer Mayfield 
Howard P. Martz 
Fred F. Montgomery 
Alfred E. Meek 
Glenn D. Morgan 
Anthony C. Morris 
Jesse M. Miles 
Merle Aubry Miller 
John Harvey Martz 
Lester Miles 
Perry Myers 
Earl A. Martin 
Clarence W. Martin 



244 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Erwin A. Miner 
Lee O. Murphey 
J. Albert Mote 
Virgil J. Nelson 
Birt Nally 
Earl Neff 
Roy Nelson 
Clyde Neville 
Dewitt Newland 
James Nicholas 
Joseph P. Neel 
Warren K. Nelson 
Frank C. Nally 
Clarence Oliver 
C. L. Osmon 
John Owens 
John M. Oeasley 
Dean Oram 
Lloyd Patrick 
George Paullin 
Olin E. Pearson 
Will H. Perry 
Ray Premier 
Rauren K. Price 
A. L. Putteroff 
James R. Pearson 
Richard H. Pash 
Jesse L. Peyton 
LeRoy Pennington 
Charles Perry 
Russell Planck 
Jed E. Poe 
Claude Price 
Raymond Premier 
Willis G. Pryer 
Kenneth A. Putteroff 
Eugene Pearson 
Fred Pelican 



Edson Perry 
Orville Persons 
Ralph Rankin 
Paul R. Rardin 
Ralph J. Ramer 
L. Richardson 
Elmer G. Rogers 
Stanley Rucker 
James P. Ragan 
U. L. Riley 
Charles Raybum 
Maurice Richardson 
Elvis Rice 
Clyde Riggs 
Robert Rucker 
Wayne Rucker 
Harvey Rodgers 
Alva Richardson 
Mark Riley 
Edwin Richardson 
Garland Reeves 
Lloyd Ristine 
E. F. Rogers 
Ezra Rounder 
Samuel Rhodes 
Lew E. Ray 
Earnest Salles 
Neil Sandage 
Robert D. Scott 
Lewis M. Sailers 
Herbert E. Shipley 
James K. Skelton 
Ludwick gkakal 
Gerald Skinner 
Charles Smith 
Henry I. Smith 
Wren Smith 
Ray E. Smith 



HISTORY OF HABRISON COUNTY 



245 



Henry E. Smith 
Ward Smoothers 
Ralph Stanley 
Melvin Spring- 
Floyd Stephenson 
Estel Stewart 
Winford Stuckley 
Noel Straight 
Eugene A. Southerland 
Herbert D. Sutton 
Ellis Shackelford 
Oscar G. Sharp 
Lee Sheets 
Walter Sheppard 
William J. Sherrall 
Harry D. Shipley 
H. C. Shirer 
Melverne Sigler 
Vandelin Skakal 
Ivan Slaughter 
Garland W. Smith 
Gerald Smothers 
Loren E. Snyder 
Glenn H. Summers 
Elbert W. Spencer 
Carl Spurling 
Harry H. Stallsworth 
Earl R. Stephens 
Chancey J. Street 
Chacey Street 
Boyd Shaw 
Otto Skakel 
George L. Shaw 
Henry H. Stallsworth 
Charles C. Swiggart 
Jess W. Stahl 
John W. R. Shafer 
Lovell Smith 



Ray Sylvester Schiefelbush 

William Thomas Stephenson 

Edmond Stanley 

Sankey Simms 

Silas M. Swartz 

James R. Solomon 

J. B. Weaver Smith 

Sylvester Snelling 

Ellis Shackelford 

Wain Switzer 

William S. Scott 

Earl Sanders 

Orange L. Spears 

Floyd Snead 

Frank E. Stahl 

Forest Thompson 

John M. Tobias 

Vernan H. Tobias 

Joel Todd 

Fred Tucker 

Orville Tilley 

James H. Turner 

Leland Turner 

Fletch Turner 

Richard 0. Taff 

George Taylor 

Thomas Leo Taylor 

George Thoming 

HeiTTian Carl Thoming 

John Henry Thoming 

William Thoming 

James Ray Tilley 

Ora Tilley 

Hoyt Tilley 

Omer Tobias 

Francis L Towns 

Leonard Trammel 

C. B. Treasure 



246 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Ray Tripp 
Oscar Tschudin 
Ralph Tripp 
Robert Turpin 
John James Todd 
Charles Terry 
George Turpin 
Paul Travis 
Charles Todd 
Charles L. Ury 
Charles Updegraff 
Richard Valentine 
E. Valintine 
Paul VanZant 
Kieth VanZant 
Robert Vanviver 
Jack Walker 
C. J. Ward 
Ira Weekley 
Bert Widner 
Fred Wheeler 
Earl Waddilove 
Edmond Wightman 
Herbert Wilkinson 
Levi Wilkinson 
Dolph Wilson 
Randall Wilson 
Albert Wooden 
Harry D. Wright 



Charles Wallace 
David Wallace 
Gordon P. Way 
Walter Weese 
A. L. Wessing 
Ross Wheeler 
Elmer Whittington 
Wilber Whittington 
James P. Wiatt 
Harlin Williams 
Arthur Wilson 
Dockery Wilson 
William H. Wilson 
H. A. Wagner 
Moss Weldon 
Paul G. Wiatt 
Frederick Wise 
Jess V. Whittington 
George H. Willis 
Earl Williams 
Carlisle "Chuck" Wilson 
Harry F. Youngman 
Glen Yater 
Joe Young 
Austin Young 
William T. York 
Stacey Youngman 
Kelsey Zimmerlee 
Ralph Zimmerman 



The above list, while no doubt incomplete and some names are omitted, 
is the most complete list obtainable. This was furnished through the 
courtesy of E. Newton Carter, county superintendent of the schools. 

In April, 1917, the United States declared there was a state of war- 
fare existing between the United States and Gei-many and in August 
Company G was again called into service, and August 13 left for Nevada 
and from there the Fourth Regiment was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 
for intensive training and for the purpose of preparing to serve America 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 247 

hi the great World War. The following officers and men composed the 
roster of Company G when they left Bethany : 

Captain: Randall Wilson, Bethany. 

First heutenant: Arthur A. Axline, Bethany. 

Second lieutenant: Carlisle R. Wilson, Bethany. 

Sergeants: First, Ray Leroy Buis, Bethany; mess, Robert Hugh 
Cowan, Bethany; supply, Omer M. Tobias, Bethany; Loyd E. Hardy, 
Bethany; Oscar N. Dillon, Bethany; Russell J. Ballard, Bethany; George 
W. Bryant, Bethany; Jackson E. Walker, Bethany. 

Corporals: Fred Higgins, Ridgeway; Bayard T. Burgin, Bethany; 
Everett R. Hollar, Rathburne, Idaho; Laben C. Oliver, Ridgeway; Harley 
Henry, Ridgeway; Robejit D. Scott, New Hampton; John B. Tobias, 
Bethany. 

Cooks: Ora G. Moore, Eagleville; James H. Mitchell, Bethany. 

Buglers: Glen Yeater, Ridgeway; Ercelle W. Johnson, Ridgeway. 

Mechanic: Ben King, Bethany. 

First class privates: Frank Duncan, Ridgeway; Orval Fruit, Bethany; 
John Maize, Bethany. 

Privates: Glen Anderson, Sheridan, Missouri; Frank J. Alexander, 
Saint Joseph ; Orval Baker, Ford City ; Lou E. Baker, New Hampton ; 
David L. Baker, Brookfield, Missouri; Harvey J. Banks, Eagleville; Scott 
Barnes, Kirksville ; George W. Bivens, Brookfield, Missouri ; Elige Brayley, 
Milan ; Pearl Bragg, Kirksville ; Edward P. Burton, Milan ; Roy C. Carmer, 
Boynton; Charley Carter, Hatfield; James M. Chittum, Siloam; William 
M. Cordle, Downing; Thomas Creek, Darlington; Alva Darby, Denver; 
George M. Davis, New Hampton ; Herman L. Dinsmore, Cainsville ; Lee 
Dolan, Novinger; Olney B. Dolon, Kirksville; Ashmond L. Easton, Beth- 
any; James K. Estep, Bethany; Clyde L. Fowler, Blythedale; John H. 
Franklin, Davis City; Russell K. Gale, Bethany; Ray B. Garrett, Milan; 
Forest S. Gibler, Spickard; Francis S. Goodrich, Saint Joseph; Lee S. 
Glidewell, Milan ; Jay A. Gray, Unionville, Missouri ; Paul A. Gregory, 
Albany ; Arthur F. Grindstaff , Boynton, Missouri ; Fred V. Guffey, Union- 
ville, Missouri; Orval T. Guthery, Saint Joseph; John G. Hall, Kirksville; 
Cecil Harris, Bethany; James Harris, Milan; Otto P. Harris, Lamoni; 
Joseph M. Hauber, Saint Joseph ; George R. Harrelson, Boynton, Missouri ; 
James L. Henry, Ridgeway; John D. Hiatt, Bethany; William A. High, 
Boynton ; Jerdie Hogan, New Hampton ; Ray V. Hobbs, Eagleville ; George 
L. HoUiday, Pollock; Raymond E. Hollon, Milan; Emerson Hoselton, 



248 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Milan; Earnest Hudnall, Milan; Herman R. Hunt, Bethany; Clarence 
Ismael, Greencastle; Clyde Jackson, Milan; Clarence M. Johnson, Milan; 
Nicholas W. Johnson, Bethany; William F. Kinder, Bethany; Edwin E. 
Larson, Princeton; Joseph P. Leslie, Milan; Leo G. Long, Lexington; Lee 
G. McNutt, Sedalia; Cecil G. McDaniel, Cainsville; John D. Manor, Eagle- 
ville; Willie D. Marsh, Ridgeway; John Mersman, Boynton, Missouri; 
Richard L. Meyers, Cincinnati, Iowa; Joseph D. Morgan, Milan; Earl 
Montgomery, Eagleville; Edward Morris, Brookfield; Gurney F. Mullinex. 
Unionville, Missouri ; James V. Nelson, Bethany ; Ted Opdyke, Ridgeway ; 
Wilbur C. Odam, Unionville, Missouri ; Melvin H. Painter, Mexico ; Lemiel 
A. Parks, New Hampton; George L. Preston, Cainsville; Clarence C. Poe, 
Albany; John W. Powell Kirksville; Paul Rardin, Ridgeway; Melvin N. 
Richardson, Brookfield; William F. Rowlett, New Hampton; William M. 
Rogers, Boynton, Missouri; Earnest Sallee, Bethany; Claude E. Sears, 
Milan; Sam Shelton, Kirksville; Thomas C. Shipps, Princeton; John L. 
Siddens, Bethany; Eddie Sims, Unionville; Willie Six, LaPlata; Ward M. 
Smothers, Eagleville ; James Spake, Brookfield ; William M. Standela, King 
City; John T. Stanton, Unionville; Floyd E. Stevenson, Bethany; Richard 
H. Stewart, Bethany ; John S. Stephens, Stanberry ; Noel Strait, Bethany ; 
Pearson D. Stuart, Stanberry; Dewey A. Stufflebean, Milan; Claud M. 
Stuff lebean, Milan; Roy C. Stephenson, Gallatin; Herbert D. Sutton, 
Bethany; James E. Tipton, Milan; Albert Tipton, Milan; Liga R. Thomp- 
son, Cainsville ; Vernon Tobias, Bethany ; Jess Veach, Kirksville ; Carl V. 
VanHoozer, New Hampton; Robert Veach, Kirksville; Dewey Wade, Se- 
dalia; Ralph Z. Watson, Metcalf, Illinois; Vema E. Watterbarger, Milan; 
James C. Watterbarger, Milan; Walter T. Weese, Hatfield; Floyd West, 
Boynton, Missouri ; Charley C. Wilson, Boynton ; Hugh Willis, Milan ; Lee 
G. Williams, Denver; Levi C. Wilkinson, Bethany; Vale G. White, Saint 
Joseph; Lemuel Wood, Allendale; Louie G. Yoakum, Brookfield; Marshall 
G. Yardley, Boynton. 

Reserve : Harley L. Collins, Bethany ; Charles Cross, Saint Joseph ; 
Joseph D. Dale, Bethany; William J. Diers, Kansas City; Paul Flint, 
Bethany; Hoyt G. Tilley, Bethany; Byron Meek, Bethany; Elmer A. 
Michael, Bethany ; Wren Smith, Bethany ; Charley Wiatt, Bethany ; Edwin 
S. Wightman, Bethany. 

Company G belonged to One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry. They 
left Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, on their way to France, by way of Camp 
Mills, Mineola, New York, in April, 1918, and set sail for France on April 




CAPT. CARLISLE R. -CHUCK" WILSOX AND LIEUT. ARTHUR A. AXLINE 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 249 

25, 1918. Landing in England they remained there but a short time — 
going from there to France. Their movements as a part of the great 
Thirty-fifth Division is chronicled elsewhere. April 25, 1919, the Thirty- 
fifth Division docked at Newport News, New Jersey. 

The Thirty-Six Gold Stars on the Harrison County Service Flag. 

Axline, Arthur Andrew: Killed in action at Battle of the Argonne 
in France, September 28, 1918, aged twenty-nine years, eleven months, 
one day. Was first lieutenant Company G, One Hundred Thirty-ninth, 
but at time of death was commanding Company E. Son of Mr. and Mrs. 
C. A. Axline, of Bethany. 

Bears, Tony: Killed in action in France July 20, 1918. His sister, 
Mrs. Arthur Stanley, lives m Bethany. 

Browning, Carroll: Killed in action in France, September 12, 1918. 
Son of Duff Browning, of New Hampton. Was in Casual Department, 
Eighty-eighth Division. 

Carter, Charles Madison: Died in France in October, 1918, aged 
twenty-three years, nine months. Was member of Company G, One 
Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry. His home was in Hatfield. Son of Mrs. 
Margaret Carter. 

Carrico, Ed: Killed in action in France, August 23, 1918. Son of 
Mrs. Emily Brown, of Akron. He was aged twenty-four years. 

Chipp, Fritz H. : Died of diphtheria at Camp Mills, Mineola, Long 
Island, New York, April 22, 1918, aged twenty years, one month, fourteen 
days. He was the son of J. J. and Fannie Dunham-Chipp and grandson 
of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Dunham. He was a member of Company G. 
One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry — Company G's first sacrifice. 

Crump, Roscoe : Son of James Crump, of Oilman City. Died in camp 
in March, 1919. Enlisted in limited service, after having failed to pass 
examination with the big contingent that left here for Des Moines. 

Corbin. Harry: Died of influenza at Waco, Texas, in October, 1918. 
His home was at Gilman City. 

Collins, Sergeant Andrew Floyd : Died of influenza at Camp Funston, 
Kansas, October 8, 1918 ; aged twenty-five years, six months, twenty-eight 
days. He was a son of Josiah and Elizabeth Collins, of Sherman Township. 

Cook, Leonard D.: Died of influenza at Camp McArthur, Waco, 



250 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Texas, October 16, 1918; aged twenty-one years, eleven months, one day. 
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cook, of Eagleville. 

Duncan, Frank Wilber: Died in action in France September 5, 1918. 
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Duncan, of New Hampton. 

Drury, Amos K. : Died of influenza at Camp Funston, Kansas, Octo- 
ber 8, 1918; aged twenty-six years, six months, twenty-two days. Son 
of Thomas and Etta Drury, of Akron. Member of Field Hospital Com- 
pany No. 240. 

Flint, Paul: Son of A. J. and Mrs. Ruth Flint, of near Bethany. 
Died of pneumonia April 16. Member of Company G, One Hundred 
Thirty-ninth Infantry. 

Fuston, Willard: Died of influenza at Camp Funston, Kansas, Octo- 
ber 9, 1918; aged twenty-seven years, six months, twelve days. Son of 
George and Mrs. Fuston, of near Martinsville. 

Gibson, Coi-poral Elmer W. : Died in France from wounds received 
in action October 9, 1918. Was son of A. J. and Alice Gibson, of Mel- 
bourne. He was aged twenty-five years, one month, two days. Member 
of Company L, Fourth Infantry. 

Green, Ray L. : Died of pneumonia in France, October 12, 1918. His 
home was in Bethany. 

Gillespie, Claude: Died of influenza at Camp Custer, Michigan, 
October 11, 1918 ; aged twenty-four years, one month, four days. Son of 
Mrs. Rebecca Gillespie, of Ridgeway. 

Harris, Roy: Died of influenza at Camp Funston, Kansas, Octo- 
ber 11, 1918; age twenty-eight years, eight months, fourteen days. His 
home was near Blythedale. 

Harris, Cecil: Killed in action in France between September 28 and 
October 2, 1918. Born March 16, 1889. Son of Dave and Nellie Harris, 
of near Bethany. Was member of Company G, One Hundred Thirty- 
ninth Infantry. 

Hawkins, Francis U.: Killed in action in Fi'ance October 22, 1918; 
aged thirty-one years, ten months, ten days. Was son of James Hawkins, 
of near Bethany. Received training at Camp McArthur, Texas. Left 
Bethany May 11, 1918; sailed from Camp Merritt, New Jersey, for France 
August 17, 1918. 

Harrold, Sergeant Joseph Clinton: Died of pneumonia at Fort Riley, 
Kansas, October 6, 1918; aged twenty-four years, sixteen days. Son of 
Joel and Jane Harrold, of near Blythedale. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 251 



Higgins, George: Died in France, March 8, 1919, of wounds. Son 
^f Mr nnii Mrs Abe Higgins, of Oilman City. 

;„h„son Cha*s: DM of influenza at Camp Funston, Kansas, Octo- 
ber 1918. His home was in Mount Moriah. „ ^ . , ,r ,ci,a 

Johnston Dr Frank: Died ot pneumonia in France October 16. 1918. 
He wt mirrie" 0. March 6. 1918, to M.ss Edith Foster, of Bethany. He 

was aged twenty-seven years. . m, v,„me was in 

King, Raymond: Died in France of mfluenia. His home was 

"" Mdvin Alien, of United States Navy: Died at home of mother 
Mrs. Gra''t Long, near Bethany. December 4, 1918, aged twenty-two years. 

""'"LZi^Eimer: Ted of influenza at Camp Funston. Kansas, in Octo- 
u^T- 1018 His home was at Mount Moriah. 

"'■•ZanS nlvey C: Died of pneumonia at «-- ^^^-^ 
^nint Louis October, 1918; aged thirty years, one month, one day. Was. 
Sn of Editor 5 D. and Mrs. McDaniel, of Gainesville. Was m service as 

^^XtrCral Gharles Frederic. ("Teddy"): Died on battlefieM 
of F^nce September 27, 1918. He was a son of S. S. and Rose B. Opdyke, 
Rd;ely. Member of Gompany G, One Hundred Thirt.^ninth Infantry 
Opdyke, John: Died of influenza at Gamp Funston, Kansas, October 
9 1918 Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Opdyke, of Mount Monah. 
' Patterson, Roy: Died January 7, 1918, of tonsilitis, at Fen. McArthur, 
Waco Texas. He was a son of T. B. Patterson, of Gilman City^ 

Phillips, George Monson: Killed in action in France October 5, 1918 , 
aged twenty-two years, Ave months, four days. He was the son of Ms 
Ida Phillips, of Bethany. He was a member of Gompany L. Fo-th In 
fantry. Left Bethany September 7, 1917 ; sa.led or France Apd 27 1918. 
Rice Gecil: Son of Mrs. Garret Rice, died April 2, 1918, at Foit 
Logan, Colorado, of scarlet fever and complicati^ons developing pi.eu- 
monia. He was a flrst-class private, detachment Quartei-maserCoips. 

Shipps, Thomas. Killed in action in France, September 26, 1918^ He 
was aged Uventy-one years, six months, one day. His brothe ^ E. 
Shipps, lives near Mount Moriah. Thomas was a member of Gompany G, 
One Hundred Thirty-ninth United States Infantry. 

Skelton, Polk: Son of James and Rebecca Skelton, of Hatfield, died 
from wounds in France July 17, 1918. 



252 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Wilson, Carlisle "Chuck": Died in France November 7, 1918, from 
wounds received in battle of the Argonne Forest on September 27, 1918. 
Son of J. C. and Alice Wilson and was aged twenty-seven years, three 
months, nine days. Was captain of Company G, One Hundred Thirty- 
ninth Infantry. 

Commissioned Officers — Harrison County Furnished Forty in the 

World War. 

Axline, Arthur; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 

Bolin, ; first lieutenant Veterinary Corps, Ridgeway. 

Brown, Lloyd N. ; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Broyles, Glen H. ; major Hospital Corps, Bethany. 
Broyles, Watkins A. ; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Buis, Roy; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Burris, Carl; second lieutenant, Ridgeway. 
Bryant, George, second lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Bussell, Walter; second lieutenant infantry. Mount Moriah. 
Chiles, J. W. ; captain Dental Corps, Ridgeway. 
Chipp, Dr. J. J. ; captain Medical Corps, New Hampton. 
Cole, Melverne C. ; second lieutenant aviation, Bethany. 
Collins, Harley; captain infantry, Bethany. 
Crossan, Laurence; second lieutenant quartermaster, Bethany. 
Duncan, Earle, second lieutenant infantry. New Hampton. 
Flint, Joe; second lieutenant aviation, Bethany. 
Frisby, Elliott; captain infantry, Montana. 
Gunn, C. Gai-vin; second lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Hinkel, Victor V. ; first lieutenant Dental Corps, Ridgeway. 
Kirby, O. W. ; first lieutenant Veterinary Corps, Ridgeway. 
Lewis, William C. ; second lieutenant Air Service, Bethany. 
Martin, Earl A. ; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Magee, William; second lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 
Markey, Hugh Francis; second lieutenant Quartermaster Corps, Gil- 
man City. 

Miner, Erwin; second lieutenant Quartermaster Corps, Ridgeway. 
Neff, C. Earl; second lieutenant field artillery, Bethany. 
Price, Dr. John; first lieutenant Medical Corps, Mount Moriah. 
Quinlan, M. J. ; first lieutenant Dental Corps, Gilman City. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 253 

Ramer, Ralph; captain. 

Ray, Harvey; second lieutenant coast artillery, Bethany. 

Reilly, Hugh F. Jr.; second lieutenant Quartermaster Corps, Gil- 
man City. 

Sigler, Melverne C. ; captain infantry, Bethany. 

Slaughter, Ivan; second lieutenant aviation, Bethany. 

Smith, Wren; second lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 

Tobias, Omer M. ; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 

Treasurer, Doctor; first lieutenant Dental Corps, Ridgeway. 

Ury, Lloyd; first lieutenant Veterinary Corps, Ridgeway. 

Wilson, Randall; major infantry, Bethany. 

Wilson, Carlisle W. ; captain infantry, Bethany. 

Wilson, Dockery; first lieutenant infantry, Bethany. 

The following Harrison County boys were cited for special acts of 
heroism in the World War: 

Captain Randall Wilson, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry, com- 
manded a small detachment in an advanced position north of Chaurdon 
farm and covered the evacuation of many wounded from farm, remaining 
on duty twenty-six hours, repelling attacks made by the enemy and re- 
turned only when evacuation of the wounded was completed. (September 
29-30, 1918.) Captain Wilson lives at Bethany and commanded Company 
G, Fourth Missouri Infantry. He served with the Missouri troops on 
the Mexican border. Since his citation he was made major. He is a son 
of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wilson. 

First Lieutenant Carlisle R. Wilson, deceased. One Hundred Thirty- 
ninth Infantry, was cited for extraordinary heroism in action near Mont- 
blainville, France, September 27, 1918. He was a son of Judge and Mrs. 
J. C. Wilson, of Bethany. His citation reads: "In order to establish and 
maintain liaiso with the adjacent division Lieutenant Wilson, though 
wounded, led his men along the valley of the Cise River and across a 
bridge through the heaviest kind of artillery and machine gun fire. He 
died soon after this exploit from the wounds received." Before Carlisle's 
death he was made captain. 

The details of the citation of Sergeant Jackson Elbert Walker were 
transmitted in general orders to the unit commander August 7, 1918. 
Special citation was included for Lieutenanti C. Thomas Hopkins, of 
Wichita, the first Wichita man killed in France. Lieutenant Hopkins 
dashed through a barrage of artillery and machine gun fire to rescue a 



254 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

wounded private, who had become entangled in the barbed wire, and was 
wounded himself in the attempt. Sergeant Walker crept through the 
barrage and rescued both the wounded private and Lieutenant Hopkins, 
who died soon afterward. Sergeant Walker was sent back to the United 
States as an instructor and assigned to the Tenth Division at Camp 
Funston, from which camp he received his honorable discharge. He is 
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Walker. 

In Flanders Fields. 

The poem "In Flanders Fields," generally considered the finest lyric 
called forth by the war, was written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, 
of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in France. He was in continuous 
service from the outbreak of the war until the time of his death, which 
occurred at Boulogne, France, January 28, 1918. In his answer, Mr. 
Galbreath voices the rising spirit of America that led our khaki-clad boys 
by the millions to the theater of war. Both poems have been widely pub- 
lished. 

In Flanders Fields. 

(By Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.) 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow 
Between the crosses, row on row. 
That mark our place; and in the sky 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 
Scax'ce heard amid the guns below. 
We are the dead. Short days ago 
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow. 
Loved and were loved ; and now we lie 
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe! 
To you, from failing hands, we throw 
The Torch. Be yours to hold it high! 
If ye break faith with us who die 
We shall not sleep, though poppies blow 
In Flanders fields. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 255 



In Flanders Fields. 



(An Answer by C. B. Galbreath.) 

In Flanders fields the cannon boom 
And fitful flashes light the gloom, 
While up above, like eagles, fly 
The fierce destroyers of the sky ; 
With stains the earth wherein you lie 
Is redder than the poppy bloom, 
In Flanders fields. 

Sleep on, ye brave. The shrieking shell 
The quaking trench, the startled yell. 
The fury of the battle hell 
Shall wake you not, for all is well. 
Sleep peacefully for all is well. 
Your flaming torch aloft we bear, 
With burning heart and oath we swear 
To keep the faith, to fight it through, 
To crush the foe or sleep with you 
In Flanders fields. 



In Flanders Fields. 

(An Answer by James M. Porter.) 

And in our hearts eternal love shall glow 
For all those crosses, row on row, 
That mark your place ; and in the sky 
The Dove of Peace shall ever fly — 
Silenced now the guns below. 
Dear noble dead, you sleep today 
Where poppies grow, and though generations go 
Your deeds live on. 
For your great sacrifice we've wept. 
Yet in our grief 'tis grand to know we've kept 
The faith with those who slept 
In Flanders fields. 



256 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

We came to aid you 'gainst the foe, 
America with hearts aglow 

And outstretched hands to grasp the torch you'd throw 
And thrust it high. 

Ever shall we hold it there, and woe to those who ever dare 
To cast it low. 

Rest then in peace, the task we'll do 
For Liberty, for Us, for You, 
In Flanders fields. 

Summary. 

From "Statistical Summary of the War with Germany" prepared 
by Colonel Leonard P. Ayres, authorized by the War Department, is 
extracted the following which, of course, is of interest to our readers : 

Among each 100 Americans five took up arms in defense of the 
country. 

During the Civil War ten out of every 100 inhabitants of the North- 
em States served as soldiers or sailors. In that struggle 2,400,000 men 
served in the Northern army and the navy. 

Between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, when the armistice 
went into effect, 4,800,000 men constituted our land and naval forces. 
Yet a force proportional to that put forth by the North during the Civil 
War would have produced nearly 10,000,000 American fighting men. 

The British sent to France in their first year of the war more men 
than did the United States in the first twelve months. On the other 
hand, it took England three years to reach a strength of 2,000,000 men 
in France, while the United States was able to place that number across 
the seas in one-half that time. 

The organization of an immense army as that of the United States, 
its equipment and transportation across the ocean has never been equaled 
in the history of the world. 

Two out of every three American soldiers who reached France took 
part in battle. The number that reached France was 2,084,000 and out 
of these 1,300,000 were engaged at the front. ? 

American divisions were in battle for 200 days and engaged in 
thirteen major operations from the middle of August until the armistice. 

The American divisions held during the greater part of the time a 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 257 

front longer than that held by the British in October. The American 
divisions held 101 miles of line, or twenty-three per cent of the entire 
western front. 

In the battle of Saint Milhiel 550,000 Americans were engaged, as 
compared with 100,000 on the North side in the battle of Gettysburg. 

The artillery fired more than 1,000,000 shells in four hours, which 
is the most intense concentration of artillery fire recorded in the history 
of the world. 

The Meuse-Argonne battle lasted forty-seven days, during which 
1,200,000 American troops were engaged. 

"During the period of hostilities two out of every 100 American sol- 
diers were killed or died of disease. The total battle death of all nations 
in this war was greater than the total of all the deaths of all the wars 
in the previous 100 years. 

For every man killed in battle seven were wounded. 

Five out of every six men sent to hospitals on account of wounds 
were cured and returned to duty. 

In the expeditionary forces battle deaths were twice as many as 
death from disease. 

The number 'of American lives lost was 122,500, of which about 
10,000 were in the navy and the rest in the army and marines attached 
to it. 

The war cost of America was $21,850,000,000, or approximately 
.$1,000,000 an hour. The greatest number of men sent over seas in a 
single month was 306,000 and the largest returned home in a single 
month at the time of the report was 333,000. 

The supplies shipped from the United States to Fi'ance was 7,500,000 
tons in nineteen months. 

The registration of men for the draft was 24,234,021 and of these 
2,810,296 were inducted into service. The largest number inducted into 
the service in a single month was 400,000. 

In the matter of expenditure in wars, it is interesting to note some 
comparisons between the cost of former American wars and that with 
Germany. It has never been possible to estimate exactly the cost of any 
war in money. The Mexican war is supposed to have cost $173,358,000 
and the Civil War about $6,000,000,000. 

It will be noted that the cost of the Civil War was about the same 
.«is the amount of the Fourth Liberty Loan in the present war. In the 
(12) 



258 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Fourth Liberty Loan the city of New York alone subscribed $1,482,078,- 
650 — more than eight times the cost of the Mexican War, and all the 
Federal Reserve districts except that of Dallas, Texas, subscribed as 
much, and some of them several times more to the Fourth Liberty Loan 
than the cost of the Mexican War. The Chicago district subscribed $969,- 
209,000, the Cleveland district $702,059,800, the Boston district $632,221,- 
850, and the Philadelphia district $598,763,650. 

These figures indicate the tremendous strides, in the matter of 
accumulation of wealth which have been made in the United States. 



CHAPTER XXVIII 



AMERICAN RED CROSS. 



BRANCHES AND AUXILIARIES— OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES — FIRST WAR FUND 
DRIVE — MEMBERSHIP DRIVE— OFFICERS OF HARRISON COUNTY CHAPTER — 
LIFE MEMBERSHIP— HOME SERVICE SECTION— PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT 
— RED CROSS PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE — JUNIOR RED CROSS. 

Harrison County Chapter includes all Harrison County, consisting 
of sixteen branches and seventeen auxiliaries. Following is a list of the 
branches with their auxiliary, chairmen of each and date of organization: 

Akron, W. E. Riley, November, 1917, secretary, Miss Amy Bishop. 

Andover Auxiliary, Mrs. Mattie Hill, May 9, 1918. 

Cainsville, Forest Lawhead, Ed Girdner, July 8, 1917; secretary 
treasurer, Mrs. Florence Oxford. 

Mount Moriah, Mrs. Kate Sellers, W. P. Chambers, September 8, 1917. 
Secretary, Mrs. Cora Price, Mrs. Bruna Taylor. 

Eagleville, G. D. Cramer, July 14, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. J. C. Barber. 
Auxiliary, Hobbs Chapel, Hesse Edwards, July 2, 1918. Auxiliary, Otter- 
bien, Mrs. C. V. Anderson, July 11, 1918. 

Blythedale, G. C. Zingerle, Mrs. Ralph Scott and Mrs. Carrie Officer, 
July 15, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. L. G. Sullivan. Auxiliary, Donaby, Mrs. 
Mat Mullins, August 15, 1918. 

Ridgeway, W. A. Miner, 0. P. Bennett, February 5, 1918. Secretary, 
S. G. Stanley, Miss Hammitt, Mrs. Lloyd Spragg. 

New Hampton, W. A. Denny, October 30, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. H. 
B. Henton. Auxiliaries, Commercial Club, S. W. W. Club, W. C. T. U., 
Round Table Club, October 30, 1918. 

Martinsville, Mrs. J. W. Rice, August 23, 1917. Secretary, Miss 
Lucile Baldwin. Washington Township, C. M. Potoot, July 23, 1917. Sec- 
retary, J. R. Carter. Auxiliary, Wesley Chapel, Maud Carter. Muddy 
Valley. Mount Olive, January 16, 1918. 



260 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Matkins, T. J. Kelley, August 24, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. W. L. 
Musick. 

Pawnee, Mrs. B. C. White, November 29, 1917. Secretary, Ada Jones. 

Gilman City, T. A. Norris, July 8, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. Beulah T. 
Williams. 

Melbourne, T. A. Brown, March 24, 1918. A. V. Spillman, secretary. 

Blue Ridge, Mrs. Lura Higgins, Charles Cole, March 21, 1918. Sec- 
retary, Mrs. Loie Brandom, Mrs. Deila Field. 

Hatfield, Alex Thompson, July 2, 1917. Secretary, Mrs. A. C. Nelson. 

Brooklyn, Mrs. John Barnett, July 12, 1918. Secretai-y, Mrs. J. C. 
Todd. 

Harrison County Chapter Auxiliaries at Bethany, P. E. D., Nelle K. 
Sutton, November 19, 1917; Bethany Knitting Club, Mrs. C. A. Sherer, 
August 17, 1917; Coterie Club, Mrs. L. G. Prentiss, December 21, 1917; 
Oak Leaf Club, Mrs. S. M. Hillyard, August 7, 1918; Mitchelville Aid, 
Mrs. Frank Burris, May 2, 1918; Gardner Club, Miss Eliza Neff, August, 
1918. 

Historical Committee, Mrs. E. W. Prentiss, Mrs. J. E. Noll, Doctor 
Francis, E. R. Burgess, Mrs. T. E. Stone, Mrs. F. L. Sawyers. 

The week of June 17-23, 1917, was the week set aside for the first 
war fund drive for the Red Cross. There being no organization in Harri- 
son County, a meeting was called at the home of F. T. Harvey. Several 
persons responded to this call, and F. T. Harvey was elected temporary 
chairman and V. E. Yates temporary secretary. A petition signed by 
all present was sent to the Southwestern Division of the American Red 
Cross at Saint Louis, asking permission to organize a permanent Red 
Cross Chapter in Harrison County. The request was granted and a 
meeting was called at Odd Fellows Hall June 27, 1917, when a pemianent 
chapter of the American Red Cross was perfected in Harrison County. 

The following officers were elected for the year of 1917: V. E. Yates, 
chairman; William A. Miner, vice-chairman; Mrs. W. P. Bryant, secre- 
tary; Mrs. T. E. Stone, treasurer. Plans were at once formed to conduct 
a county campaign, to secure funds for the American Red Cross. This 
resulted in a sum being raised of nearly $4,000.00. Also sixteen branches 
and seventeen auxiliaries were organized in a few months. 

The first war fund drive was conducted in July. Amount raised, 
$4,000.00. The first Red Cross membership drive was conducted in De- 
cember, 1917. Chairman, John Ross. Members secured, 6,420. The 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 261 

second war fund drive was conducted in May, 1918. Chairman, W. C. 
Cole. Amount raised, $18,965.23. The second membership drive was 
conducted in December, 1918. Chairman, John Ross. Members secured, 
14,612. Third membership drive was conducted in December, 1919. Chair- 
man, John Ross. Members secured, 100. Fourth membership drive con- 
ducted in December, 1929. Chairman, W. E. Todd. Members secured, 699. 

Besides our membership and war fund drives, money was raised by 
donation, sales and entertainments. The fifth membership drive is now 
on at the time this is being written with Garland Wilson as chairman. 

Officers of the Harrison County Chapter: Chairman, V. E. Yates. 

Vice-chairman, W. A. Miner, serving until March, 1919, succeeded 
by John Ross. 

Secretary, Mrs- W. P. Bryant, serving until April, 1918, succeeded 
by Mrs. J. E. Noll. 

Treasurer, Mrs. T. E. Stone. 

Chairman of Woman's V»'ork, Mrs. E. W. Prentiss. 

Chairman of Surgical Dressings, Dr. Frances E. R. Burgess. 

Chairman of Knitting, Mrs. Charles Sherer. 

Chairman of Hospital Garments, Mrs. Hila Walker. Assistants, Mrs. 

C. V. Henderson, Mrs. George Neff. 

Chairman of Home Service, Mrs. Charles Bridges, succeeded by Mrs. 
F. L. Sawyers. 

Chainnan of Nursing, Mrs. L. G. Prentiss, succeeded Dr. Frances 
E. R. Burgess. 

Chairman of Junior Red Cross, Nelle K. Sutton, succeeded by E. 
Newton Carter. 

Chairman of Conservation, Mrs. William Rolkeke. 

Chairman of Publicity, Mrs. E. W. Prentiss, succeeded by Mrs. J. E. 
Noll and V. E. Yates. 

Chairman of Canteen, T. E. Stone. 

Chairman of Civilian Relief, Mrs. L. Layman, succeeded by William 
Roleke. 

Life Membership. — A. number of Harrison County citizens hold life 
membership in the Red Cross, but the record containing a part of these 
has been misplaced and a full roster can not be given. Among them are: 

D. C. Deal, Bethany; William Dunn, Bethany; Edgar Skinner, Bethany; 

E. S. Miner, Bethany ; Dr. F. L. Sawyers, Bethany ; John S. Slatten, Beth- 
any; J. B. Siemens, Bethany; J. C. Wilson, Bethany; Dr. L. R. Webb, 



262 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Bethany; H. P. Canaday, Blythedale; W. E. Cole, Bethany; John L. Cole, 
Bethany; F. M. Spragg, Ridgeway; Dr. F. H. Broyles, Bethany; Mrs. F. 
H. Broyles, Bethany; Elizabeth Broyles, Bethany; T. E. Stone, Bethany; 
Alex. Thompson, Hatfield; J. W. Wyant, Eagleville; William Johnson, 
New Hampton. 

Physician in service in World War: Dr. J. J. Chipp, New Hampton. 

Dentists: V. V. Hinkle, Ridgeway; J. W. Chiles, Ridgeway; C. B. 
Treasure, Ridgeway; M. J. Quinlan, Oilman City. 

Veterinarians: Doctor Bolin, Ridgeway; Dr. 0. W. Kirby, Ridgeway; 
Dr. Lloyd Ury, Ridgeway. 

Nurses : Miss Theo Bennet, Ridgeway ; Miss Ruth Bennet, Ridgeway ; 
Miss Lou Hudson, Gilman City. 

Christmas Parcel Committee, 1918. — The Christmas Parcel Commit- 
tee, which had charge of all packages sent overseas for Christmas in 
1918, consisted of Mrs. C. B. Henderson, chairman; Mrs. F. M. Frisby, 
Mrs. F. L. Sawyers, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. James Hampton, Mrs. E. S. 
Hubbard and Miss Zola Myers. This was a very important committee 
and was domiciled in the directors' room of the First National Bank. 
They gave unsparingly of their time to assist those who wanted to send 
Christmas parcels to their loved ones serving at the front. A very accurate 
record was kept of these parcels, to whom and by whom sent, but that 
record is not available, probably having been taken by the chairman 
when she moved from Harrison County. 

Home Service Section. 

In the early days of the World War the American Red Cross under 
its congressional charter and by the confidence reposed in it by the Ameri- 
can people was charged with the task of safeguarding the welfare of the 
homes of our fighting men, and when the war broke out it was apparent 
to everyone that no one could fight well if he was worrying about his 
dependents at home. 

The Home Service Section of the American Red Cross was organized 
for the purpose of reducing such worry to the minimum. It was the 
business of Home Service Sections to take the places of soldiers and 
sailors in their homes as far as possible, giving moral, financial or other 
assistance when needed. The Home Service Section of the Harrison 
County Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized June 27, 1917, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 263 

with Mrs. Charles Bridges as chairman. As the demands for work of this 
kind were so few at that time no other representative was appointed. 

During the war Harrison County sent 820 persons into service. These 
and their dependents constituted the field of work of the Harrison County 
Chapter. Most of these families were entirely able to care for their own 
needs. The Home Service Section rendered assistance of various kinds 
to 225 families. 

Financial aid was given 115 families, partly as loans, partly as gifts. 
Funds for this work were provided by the Harrison County Chapter. 

In October, 1920, Mrs. F. L. Sawyers became chairman, and today 
more than three years after the armistice, and contrary to expectation, 
the army of disabled men is constantly increasing and the Red Cross ob- 
ligation to them is growing in proportion. After demoblization American 
Red Cross responsibility for supplementing governmental provisions look- 
ing to the safe re-establishment and self-support of the ex-service man 
was not abated. 

Production Department. 

When the government called upon the women of America to help 
with the war work, thousands of Harrison County women responded 
promptly, and were organized into a, loyal and en;thusiastic body of 
Red Cross war workers. Mrs. E. W. Prentiss was elected Director of 
Women's Work. 

The Production Department was the first section of the Red Cross 
to begin work and was, perhaps, the most active of the departments of the 
Red Cross Chapter during the war. 

There were four divisions of work in this department: surgical dress- 
ings, hospital garments, knitting and refugee relief. 

The surgical dressings division was supervised by Dr. Frances Bur- 
gess. Most of the branches assisted with this work which continued from 
September, 1917, until the official closing of the war work. The output 
from this division was 122,227 surgical dressings. 

Hospital garments were made under the supervision of Mrs. John G. 
Walker, beginning in September, 1917, and continuing until July, 1919. 
The women of America by that time had all of the warehouses belonging 
to the Red Cross in America and in France filled with a reserve stock of 
hospital supplies, garments and dressings. The output from this divi- 
sion was 69,451 hospital garments. 



264 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Knitting Division. — When the Red Cross Chapter was formally organ- 
ized, a large number of women, already organized with Mrs. C. A. Sherer 
as chairman, and doing fine work as Navy League Knitters, loyally and 
patriotically became Red Cross workers. Mrs. C. A. Sherer was ap- 
pointed supervisor of knitting with Mrs. E. H. Frisby as assistant and the 
task of securing material began. This proved to be a most difficult matter. 
Finally, in October, 1917, women and children, with great enthusiasm, 
were busy. Oh, how they did knit. The telephone in the home of the 
Director of Women's Work and Supplies was nearly rung off the wall. 
The entire output was 4,044 knitted garments, including sweaters, socks, 
helmets, wristlets and mufflers. All branches and auxiliaries rendered 
excellent service and the Chapter as a whole rendered splendid service 
both in amount and quality of work. 

Refugee relief work was under the direction of Mrs. John G. Walker 
and was combined with the hospital garment work during the latter part 
of the war. Three thousand, nine hundred and twenty-six garments rep- 
resented the output from this division. 

The grand total output from the four divisions of the Production 
Department from September 17 1917, to July 15, 1919, was 199,648 gar- 
ments. 

Many women put patriotic service before all other consideration 
and hundreds were entitled to receive the certificates which, in recogni- 
tion of loyal service to the nation, were awarded through the Red Cross. 
Of thousands of women can be said as was said of one of old, "She hath 
done what she could." No reward, no remuneration, was expected — only 
a duty performed — that was the reward. 

The Harrison County Red Cross Chapter was indebted to the Harri- 
son County Bank for the use of their work room for nearly two years; 
to the Farmer's Telephone Company for the free use of the telephone ; 
to Verne White for free drayage of all freight; to J. E. Weber and Paul 
Linville for services as shipping clerks ; to Ed Skinner, B. S. Allen, A. S. 
Cummings and Dr. Sawyar for favors too numerous to mention. 

A work initiated by the women of the Red Cross was undertaken 
before material could be obtained from St. Louis headquarters. That 
work was to furnish every Harrison County soldier with a pillow. Mrs. 
F. T. Harvey was chairman of this work. A total of 1,028 pillows were 
given and sent to the Harrison County Soldiers. 

Conservation Department. — The Conservation Department, conducted 




MISS GENEVIEVE BAZAN. RED CROSS PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 265 

by Mrs. William Roleke as supervisor, was not organized until the later 
part of the war. Three thousand, two hundred and forty-two garments 
were sent to the relief of the Belgians. A large collection of metal, brass, 
silver, tin-foil, etc., was shipped to headquarters. 

Respectfully submitted, 

MRS. E. W. PRENTISS, 
Director of Women's Work. 

Red Cross Public Health Nurse. 

The public health nursing work in Harrison County was begun by 
Mrs. Fannie Cole Prentiss. In July, 1921, Mrs. Prentiss was succeeded by 
Miss Genevieve Bazan. Classes and demonstrations in home hygiene and 
care of the sick were conducted during the remainder of the summer, the 
nurse getting acquainted and familiarizing herself with the various com- 
munities in the country, and making plans for the school nursing work, 
which is the principal work done by the Red Cross nurse during the school 
year. 

The nurses' office, which is located over the Harrison County Bank, 
Bethany, Missouri, is open to anyone wanting information on health, or 
assistance, on one entire day of each week. 

School nursing, which consists of examining school children, visiting 
the parents to get their co-operation in remedying the defects, through 
their private physicians, investigating the school buildings as to sanitary 
conditions, health work in the school, occupy the nurse's time. 

In Harrison County, there are ninety rural and ten city schools, and in 
all, over 5,000 school children. Every effort is made, in planning the 
work, to reach all schools in the county, not only examining the children, 
but giving them some health instruction, which they are urged to fol- 
low. 

Plans to have milk furnished to underweight children are being carried 
out in all schools, both city and rural. Wherever possible physicians and 
dentists are giving their time and services in helping with the examina- 
tions in the schools. 

Some tuberculosis work has been done, and many families have been 
given relief through the nursing service. 



266 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



Junior Red Cross. 



The Junior Red Cross was organized on quite an extensive scale dur- 
ing the school year 1920-21. About three thousand of Harrison County's 
boys and girls took the Junior pledge, which is as follows : "I pledge my- 
self to honor and serve the flag of my country, and to work, save and give, 
in order that the Red Cross, the emblem of humanity, sacrifice and service 
may bring relief and happiness to suffering people throughout the world." 

In order to help secure a school nurse for the county and furnish trans- 
portation for her, each member contributed twenty-five cents membership 
fee. This fee was not required but was a voluntary gift on the part of the 
Juniors. The money thus secured was used to purchase a Ford coupe, 
which is labeled on each side: "This car donated by Junior Red Cross." 
This act of the Juniors makes it possible for the nurse to visit all parts 
of the county and is directly in line of the Junior's watchword, "Service." 

The officers and members of the school committee were as follows : 

OflUcers: E. Newton Carter, Chairman; Mrs. William Roleke, Sec- 
retary-Treasurer. 

School Committee: Professor F. E. Patrick, Miss Lois Cochran, Miss 
Aurelia Nicholls, Miss Madgo Wheeler, Professor E. R. Adams, Miss Ruth 
Funk, Miss Myrtle McPherson, Mrs. Cleo L. Tobias, Professor I. J. Vogle- 
sang, Miss Grace Gusewelle, Professor D. V. Culp, Miss Clara Pierson, Miss 
Zerita Daniels, Professor G. W. Davis, Mrs. S. D. See, Professor L. W. 
Watson, Miss Blanche Hininger, Professor S. C. Fair, Miss Olive Woodward, 
Mrs. Clara Shaw, Ross Bartlett, Miss Mary Burris, Anson Van Eaton. 
Miss Marie Swain, Miss Alice Hunt, Miss Ella Hefner, Miss Maun Hogan, 
Professor Henry R. Gannon, Miss Vivian Bussell, Miss Faye Haas, Miss 
Zelma Dale, Professor Emery Chemmess, W. K. James, Jesse Phillips, Otis 
LaFolIette. 



CHAPTER XXIX 



COUNTY OFFICERS. 



CIRCUIT JUDGES— REPRESENTATIVES— PROBATE JUDGES— CIRCUIT AND COUNTY 
CLERKS— CIRCUIT CLERKS SINCE 1864— COUNTY CLERKS SINCE 1864— COUNTY 
TREASURERS— SHERIFFS— PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS- JUDGES OF COUNTY 
COURT. 



Circuit Judges. 



Austin A. King, 1846-1848. 
George W. Dunn, 1848-1859. 
James McFerran, 1859-1862. 
Jonas J. Clark, 1863-1872. 
Samuel A. Richardson, 1872-1880. 



John C. Howell, 1880-1882. 
Charles H. S. Goodman, 1882-1892. 
Paris C. Stepp, 1892-1904. 
George W. Wanamaker, 1904-1916. 
Lee B. Woods, 1916. 



Representatives. 



L. D. Thompson, 1846-1850. 
Stephen C. Allen, 1850-1852. 
Elijah Hubbard, 1852-1854. 
Henry 0. Nevill, 1854-1856. 
Stephen C. Allen, 1856-1858. 
James M. Nevill, 1858-1860. 
Stephen C. Allen, 1860-1862. 
Samuel Downey, 1862-1868. 
Thomas 0. Neal, 1868-1872. 
William H. Hillman, 1872-1874. 
James B. Brower, 1874-1878. 
Charles D. Knight, 1878-1880. 
James M. Nevill, 1880-1882. 
George Burris, 1882-1884. 



A. W. Allen, 1884-1886. 
Nelson Church, 1886-1890. 
Samuel P. Davisson, 1890-1894. 
John W. Leazenby, 1894-1896. 
Jesse Taylor, 1896-1898. 
Rufus Hopkins, 1898-1900. 
Joseph D. Officer, 1900-1904. 
John R. Williamson, 1904-1906. 
Freeman J. Hesseltine, 1906-1912. 
John W. Leazenby, 1912-1914. 
W. E. Land, 1914- 

Brown, 1819-1920. 

Freeman J. Hesseltine, 1920- 



268 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Probate Judges. 

William G. Lewis, 1853-1857. John T. Hendren, part of 1878. 

John H. Phillibaum, 1857-1861. J. F. Bryant, 1878-1880. 

David J. Heaston, 1861-1862. J. R. Cunningham, 1880-1890. 
Thornton H. Templeman, 1862-1866. W. H. Skinner, 1890-1898. 

Thomas D. Neal, 1866-1868. Alex Reid, 1898-1906. 

John Wion, 1868-1872. Edgar Skinner, 1906-1914. 

William P. Robinson, 1872-1878. Henry N. Burgin, 1914- 

Circuit and Courtty Clerks. 

Thomas Flint, 1845-1846. John W. Brown, 1846-1864. 

John S. Allen, 6 months. 

In 1864 the offices of Circuit Clerk and County Clerk became separate 
offices. 

Circuit Clerks Since 18^4. 

John W. Brown, 1864-1866. Z. T. Rose, 1890-1898. 

George W. Bradshaw, 1866-1869. B. P. Sigler, 1898-1906. 

James C. Baker, 1869-1870. C. J. Carter, 1906-1914. 

H. J. Skinner, 1870-1882. G. W. Bolar, 1914. 
A. D. Shiply, 1882-1890. 

County Clerks Since 1864. 

Henry O. Bryant, 1864-1866. W. F. Towns, 1898-1899. 

John Slinger, 1866-1872. C. A. Tull, 1899-1901. 

W. C. Heaston, 1872-1874. J. M. Kinkade, 1902-1906. 

J. W. Kenyon, 1874-1877. W. F. Towns, 1906-1914. 

W. C. Heaston, 1877-1879. L. N. Brown, 1915-1916. 

W. P. Robinson, 1879-1890. C. T. Bridges, 1916- 
W. J. Nally, 1890-1898. 

County Treasurers. 

Henry Fuller, 1845. C. M. Scott, 1856. 

David Buck, 1845-1848. M. P. Wills, 1856-1860. 

J. S. Allen, 1848. B. T, Whedbee, 1860-1862. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 



269 



James Price, 1862-1866. 
Veazey Price, 1866-1868. 
G. W. Myers, 1868-1872. 
Ezra T. Baldwin, 1872. 
Alfred N. Cave, 1876-1880. 
Simon P. King, 1880-1884. 
0. C. Macey, 1884-1888. 
A. M. Morgan, 1888-1892. 



W. L. Hoffman, 1892-1896. 
J. P. Selby, 1896-1900. 
A. N. Cave, 1900-1904. 
W. W. Myers, 1904-1908. 
J. H. Carpenter, 1908-1912. 

, 1912-1916. 

Joe McClure, 1916. 



Sheriffs. 



John W. Brown, 1845-1846. 
Henry Fuller, 1846-1848. 
W. R. Allen, 1848-1852. 
M. K. Howell, 1852-1856. 
J. P. Devers, 1856-1860. 
Thomas Monson, 1860-1862. 
W. H. Hillman, 1862-1866. 
W. R. Simms, 1866-1870. 
J. C. Baker, 1870-1872. 
George S. Graham, 1872-1876. 
T. J. Garrison, 1876-1878. 



T. J. Barker, 1878-1882. 
M. S. Gillidett, 1882-1886. 
W. H. H. Gillespie, 1886-1890. 
J. M. Nevill, 1890-1894. 
J. A. Walker, 1894-1898. 
J. W. Severe, 1898-1902. 
A. H. Flint, 1902-1906. 
J. B. Manifold, 1906-1912. 
A. C. Flint, 1912-1916. 
R. B. Tedlock, 1916-1920. 
Fred Tucker, 1920- 



Prosecuting Attorneys. 

From the organization of the county in 1845 until 1872 the Circuit At- 
torney prosecuted the cases for the state. According to the record, D. S. 
Alvord was the first Prosecuting Attorney elected in Harrison County. 



D. S. Alvord, 1872-1876. 
T. D. Neal, 1876-1881. 

J. H. Phillebaum, 1881-1882. 
J. C. Wilson, 1882-1884. 
Oscar Butler, 1884-1886. 
W. H. Skinner, 1886-1888. 
George W. Barlow, 1888-1892. 
S. C. Price, 1892-1894. 

E. H. Frisby, 1894-1898. 



Warren D. Walton, 1898-1902. 
S. P. Davisson, 1902-1906. 
W. H. Leazenby, 1906-1908. 
S. P. Davisson, 1908-1910. 
Forest D. Lawhead, 1910-1912. 
Garland Wilson, 1912-1914. 
Gilbert Barlow, 1914-1918. 
F. M. Frisby, 1918-1920. 
Charles A. Miller, 1920- 



270 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Judges of the County Court. 

Samuel Edmiston, Aseph M. Butler and Lewis Charlton were elected 
at the organization of the county and served until November, 1846. 

Second board composed of Thomas Dunkerson, S. C. Allen and Elkanah 
Glover was elected in 1846. 

John W. Casebolt, Thomas M. Geer and E. L. Ellis elected in November, 
1850. 

In 1854 Thomas M. Geer, J. M. Edmiston and J. H. Piburn. 

In 1856 J. M. Edmiston, J. M. Nevill and E. L. Ellis. 

In 1858 J. E. Roberts, A. W. Allen and E. L. Ellis. 

In 1860 J. W. Brown, A. W. Allen and E. L. Ellis. 

In 1862 E. L. Ellis, A. W. Allen and J. A. Brown. 

In 1863 E. L. Ellis, U. R. Allen and William Canaday. 

In 1865 S. S. Vandivert, A. Carpenter, William Canaday. 

In 1866 A. Carpenter, W. C. Chapman, J. C. Frisby, William Officer. 

In 1869 A. Cai-penter, J. C. Frisby, W. C. Chapman. 

Since 1869 various changes have taken place in the County Court 
and it is almost impossible to name the officers in the order of their suc- 
cession. The following is as nearly correct as could be learned: 

A. Carpenter, W. C. Chapman, D. D. Boyce, William Chandler, J. F. 
Bryant, Milton Burris, F. R. Guigley, J. B. Brower, J. R. Bailey, W. L. Ma- 
gee, George Burris, G. W. Young, J. A. Gutridge, G. B. Jeffries, J. W. 
Moore, George Reid, Arthur Graham, J. H. Baker, Albert Reeves, Jerry 
Hefner, B. H. Parnell, J. A. Belong, J. F. Selby, Samuel Seymour, John 
Barber, David Goucher, I. M. Curry, J. C. Howe, W. H. Springer, C. C. 
Miller, O. F. Weed, D. B. Alley, J. M. Kelley, U. G. Tucker, J. B. Bryant, 
Wesley Bowman, Olin Kies, J. W. Maple, W. C. Baldwin, John Ballard. 



CHAPTER XXX 



REMINISCENCES. 



MRS. EMALINE ALLEN TEMPLEMAN — TRIP TO HARRISON COUNTY IN 1841 — EX- 
PERIENCES EN ROUTE— SEVERAL FAMILIES IN CARAVAN— HARRISON 
COUNTY FINALLY REACHED — WELCOMED BY FRIENDS — LAND SECURED— 
THE CABIN— PRAIRIE WOLVES— EARLY SCHOOLS— HOSPITALITY— FIRST 
COUNTY COURT— FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED— A PET FAWN— PRAIRIE FIRE 
— POSTOPFICE — SPINNING WHEEL— DRAM SHOP — INDIANS — CIVIL WAR- 
MARRIAGE. 

Among- the reminiscences of pioneer citizens is found the following 
published by the Elizabeth Harrison Chapter, Daughters of the American 
Revolution, Bethany, Missouri: 

Emaline Allen Templeman was born March 22, 1837, near Blooming- 
ton, Illinois, where her parents made their home for a few years in Wood- 
ward County. She was the daughter of John Seehom Allen, of Overton 
County, Tennessee, and his wife, Nancy Childress Allen, of Adair County, 
Kentucky. Her father was a young farmer of strong mind and high 
ambitions and hearing of the great opportunities offered for advancement 
in the West, he decided to seek his fortune in Missouri. 

He joined an overland caravan and with his wife and the little five- 
year-old Emaline journeyed to the new and distant land in the year 1841. 
Mrs. Templeman distinctly rembers the long eventful journey west, and 
often relates many incidents to both children and grandchildren. How they 
were often taken for Mormons and the farmers along the way would sell 
them no corn for the long train of horses and cattle. How they crossed 
the Mississippi River at Quincy, Illinois, on a ferry boat and most of 
the cattle jumped overboard. How the cattle wandered far away one 
night and while the men hunted for them the next morning, the women 
washed the clothes of the sturdy emigrants and took occasion to gather 
a mess of greens for dinner. How they had a mock trial of Levi Reeves, 
who stole a horse and buggy one night from camp and hid it in the brush 



272 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

not far away. The next morning a court was organized, officers elected 
and the young man was prosecuted. The joke was carried out with all the 
formalities of a real court and many of the men made their first public 
speeches. That bit of burlesque was the first preparation some of the 
men had for the public duties they would have thrust upon them in their 
future home. Most of those men afterward held county offices and served 
their county in many ways and all proved worthy of the trust reposed 
in them. 

Several families composed the emigrant train. John S. Allen and 
family of four ; Thomas Tucker and family of seven ; Robinson Allen and 
family of three; John W. Brown and family of seven; Ephraim Stewart 
and family of three ; Thomas Brown and family of five ; Colonel Lawson 
Jennings and wife; Mrs. Fleenor and son; Levi Reeves and Willis Allen. 
There were over 100 head of cattle and some fine horses in the train, 
which were driven by the young men and women of the party, who were 
sometimes on foot and sometimes on horseback. 

The long emigrant train of many wagons moved slowly but steadily 
westward until it reached that territory of Daviess County which is now 
Harrison County, v.-here they met friends who had preceded them in the 
fall of 1840. 

After four weeks of tedious travel, the weary wanderers reached their 
longed for goal and were gladly welcomed by old friends. John Poynter, 
grandfather of our fellow townsman. Dee Poynter, and Beverley Travis, 
father of our good citizen, McGinnis Travis, gladly extended hospitality 
to the travelers and welcomed them to their cabins until they were able 
to provide homes of their own. The good housewives of these old pioneers 
had green vegetables in their gardens and provided a feast of green beans, 
new potatoes, bacon and corn bread the day of their arrival. No banquet 
served a king was ever more gladly and liberally partaken of than was 
that dinner served for those who had traveled and camped a long weary 
month. 

Mrs. Templeman's father was fortunate in securing a tract of land from 
Hiram Tinney a few days after his locating. This land was situated about 
one and one-half miles southeast of where Bethany now stands and is 
owned by William T. Buck. There was a small one-room cabin on the claim 
with clap-board roof, dirt-floor and wooden windows, which sheltered the 
family for a time. Some of the land was in cultivation; there was a field 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 273 

of five acres of growing corn. It was a wild, lonely home, typical of pioneer 
life, but soon made cozy and comfortable by the fastidious mother. 

Many nights the prairie wolves howled around the little cabin, making 
it dismal and sad for the settlers. The cry of the wolf so much ressembled 
the human voice that they often thought it a woman calling for assistance. 
The chickens, lambs and geese had to be carefully locked in safety every 
night and often a burning brand from the fire was waved in the air to scare 
the wolves back to the timber. 

The next year, in 1842, her father built a new house of hewed logs 
consisting of two rooms with large hall between. It had a nice door, 
a real glass window and board floor, of which the family was justly proud, 

Mrs. Templeman lived on that farm about twelve years when her 
parents moved to Bethany and located on the exact spot where she now 
resides. In the meantime she attended school taught by John W. Brown, 
in a cabin situated about four miles northeast of Bethany, boarding with 
Willis Allen and wife. About 1845, Mr. Clark began a school in a cabin that 
stood on the north bank of Buck's branch, near the present residence of 
George Dodd. He only stayed in the west three weeks so Mrs. Templeman's 
father finished the school, as it was too late to obtain another teacher. 
Then school was held in the new frame county court building which stood 
where M. Cornelius' grocery is today and Villa Ann Covington and Miss 
Catherine Feurt were the teachers. 

The citizens decided that the population had increased sufficiently to 
demand a school building; so a log house was erected in what is now the 
east part of Bethany, to be used for school and church purposes. A good 
citizen, David Buck, donated the ground, which was to be used as a 
cemetery. Among the teachers in that building were AUston Allen, Judge 
William Lewis, Judge Edward Ellis, Frank Goodpasture and others. 

The early hisitory of Harrison County was forming and her father 
was prominent in all public affairs. Her home was one of the social centers 
of the country, always open to strangers and hospitality generously ex- 
tended to all. Judges, lawyers and ministers as well as lonely travelers and 
weary passersby, were all alike welcomed. 

The first County Court was held under a big ti'ee on the bank of Big 
Creek at Harris' Mill. The old mill around which many historical events 
clustered was located on land now owned by Frank Slaughter (for many 
years known as the Copeland farm). The first protracted meeting was 

(13) 



274 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

held in the same grove at the old mill, conducted by Elders Flint, Allen and 
Inyard. Her father, Elder Allen, organized the first church in Harrison 
County, of which she was a charter member. 

One day as Mr. Oram was coming from his farm down south, he 
captured a beautiful young fawn. He offered to sell it for fifty cents and 
Mrs. Allen bought it for the children's pet. They tied a bell around its neck 
and it was very gentle and domestic and they loved it dearly. It was 
their constant companion and dearest possession for many months, but 
it finally grew up and had to be killed as they could not build a fence 
high enough to confine it. 

Mrs. Templeman often relates the incidents of a prairie fire that al- 
most had a tragic ending. One dry October day in 1846 her parents smelled 
the prairie burning. The mother was in bed with an infant by her side and 
the father was near death's door with typhoid fever. On looking out they 
saw the fire coming from the south in a great rush accompanied by a high 
wind and leaving destruction in its wake. Terror seized the hearts of 
the parents as they realized their perilous condition. Two men were visible 
on a high ridge to the north trying to fire against the onrushing flames. 
The lives of the family depended on the heroic efforts of the little Ema- 
line and though so small and inexperienced, she ran for her life to the near- 
by men and gave the alarm. In an incredibly short time help was nigh ; 
the flames were fired against the burning prairie and the dear ones saved 
by the fraction of an hour. The fields were blackened and the fences 
charred, but there was great rejoicing in the little home that day. John 
W. Brown and Dr. Oatman were the heroes of the hour and when they 
entered the house fatigued and black with smoke, they found Mr. Allen in 
a severe collapse from the excitement and danger. 

The nearest postoffice was at Cravensville, Daviess County, and one 
man would go for the mail and bring it for the whole community. 'Twas 
a great advancement in the history of the settlement when a postoffice 
was established in 1845. David Buck was the genial postmaster and mail 
was received once a week. 

The principal trading point was at Liberty, eighty miles away, and it 
was an exciting event when the settlers started to market, or when 
they returned with the necessaries they could not make or raise for 
themselves. 

The spinning wheel, loom and dye-pot were found in every home as 
most every pioneer woman spun wool, cotton and flax, dyed her own thread 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 275 

and wove her own cloth. When about ten years old, Emaline learned to 
spin wool and in two years could spin four hanks of yarn a day. When 
sixteen she could weave three yards of cloth a day in stripe or plaid effect, 
and help do all the family sewing by hand. 

In those early days there was a dram shop in Bethany, said to be the 
only saloon ever in the town. It was conducted by George Young, who 
thought he had found a quick road to wealth. Dr. Temmis, a young physi- 
cian from the East, had located in the community to practice his profes- 
sion. One night he visited the saloon and he and the proprietor got into 
a dispute which terminated in a fight and the death of the young doctor. 
When Young realized what he had done he left for parts unknown and the 
tragedy caused great excitement in the village. The doctor's young wife 
was prostrated by the news and after her husband's funeral she re- 
turned to her relatives in the East. 

When about nine years of age Mrs. Templeman saw a wonderful sight 
which left a lasting impression on her mind. The United States govern- 
ment sent some soldiers to move the Pottawatomie Indians to a western 
reservation. Five hundred of these passed her father's farm in a body 
and nine of the men stopped at her home; one of them lingered longer 
than the others and asked for something to eat. Her mother gave him a 
large loaf of sweet corn bread and as he thrust it under his blanket he 
said: "For papoose, for little papoose." That after 200 more Indians 
passed on their journey to the same resei-vation, presumably from Fort 
Des Moines. 

During war times many tragedies were brought to her knowledge, 
chief among them being the death of a cousin, Robinson Allen, a grand, good 
man, who immigrated to this state with her parents. He was burned to 
death in his residence. His home was supposed to have been set on fire 
by unknown persons and in trying to save his family and his money he lost 
his life. In the still and lonely hours of the night the cries and screams 
of his family were heard floating over the hills and valleys of the town and 
every citizen hastened to the scene of the disaster. His body was re- 
covered the next day when the whole populace turned out to mourn and 
sympathize with his sorrowing family. 

In 1855 Emaline Allen married W. A. Templeman, a Virginian, who 
located in Bethany in 1854. He and his father were in the mercantile 
business for many years. The wedding was at the home of her parents, 
John S. Allen and wife, at the place where Mrs. Templeman now resides. 



276 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

Three of her daughters were married in the same room and stood in the 
same spot when the ceremony was performed. The bride wore a beauti- 
ful white Swiss dress, hand-made, every stitch of her own making. Judge 
William Lewis performed the ceremony and a wedding supper was served 
by the mother of the bride. Mrs. C. J. Blackburn was mistress of cere- 
monies and wrote the invitations in her beautiful, well-remembered hand. 
The guests were T. H. Templeman, wife and daughter. Dee ; Judge Lewis, 
wife and daughter, Clara; Joseph Collier and wife, John W. Brooks, wife 
and daughters, Mary, Jane, Frances and Nancy ; Dr. C. J. Blackburn, wife 
and daughters, Belle and Kate; the brothers and sisters of the bride and 
William Collier of Trenton, Missouri. 

Mrs. Templeman has six children living, all near her except one son, 
John, of Austin, Texas, and two daughters have preceded her to the better 
land. She has eight grand children and one great grandson. Temple Allen. 

Her home has always been in Bethany and she loves every foot of 
ground in the vicinity and never wanted to leave it. She watched the 
town grow from a wooded brushy spot to a modern little city with electric 
lights, waterworks, paved streets, beautiful churches and splendid schools. 



CHAPTER XXXI 



REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED. 



JOHN R. MAIZE— ENTERED LAND— NEIGHBORS IN THE '40s— SPLITTING RAILS 
AND HARVESTING — HOUSE RAISING — TAXES— MARKET PRICES— MARRIED IN 
1849— FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE— HARVE TAYLOR— FIRST COURT— GRIST MILLS— 
FIRST CHURCH— FIRST CEMETERY— A NEW HOUSE. 

The following reminiscence by John R. Maize, a highly respected and 
honored citizen of Cypress Township is hereby given as illustrative of the 
early settler and the life of such. 

"I was born in Jackson County, Alabama, in 1821 ; emigrated to Ken- 
tucky when I was six years of age ; afterwards moved to Indiana where 
my father died, then to Illinois where my mother died. I came to Missouri 
in 1840 with Aseph Butler. 

"I entered the land on which I now live. I agreed to work for Aseph 
Butler for four years if he would enter my eighty acres for me where I 
raised my cabin, the land being worth $1.25 per acre. You can see what 
iny four years of work amounted to. When Mr. Butler went to Plattsburg 
to enter land, the land agent refused to allow him to enter my land because 
I had been living on it. I had to make the trip myself, which I did, entering 
my eighty and another forty which I afterwards deeded to Asep Butler. 
My land patent bears the name of Millard Fillmore. Nine years was the 
length of my services to Asep Butler. 

"Our nearest neighbors in the early forties were John Music, who 
entered the George Joyce farm, Evan Low, who entered the 
W. 0. Dunham farm and John Fields, who entered the Mary 
Allen farm. Jo Hunt, Ed Hunt and Little Jo Hunt had already settled 
near the Hatten ford and ran a mill when we came here. 

"If I do say it myself, I sure could work in those days. I would make 
200 ten foot rails in one day and I got fifty cents per hundred. 1 could 
cradle eight acres of oats in a day. Mr. Butler made the cradles with 



278 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

which we cut the wheat and oats. There was a contest between the 'turkey 
wing' and the 'grape-vine' cradles. On one occasion Vic Corbin came over to 
show us how to cradle wheat. About four o'clock Vic gave out, but 1 
worked on till quitting time. 

"Everybody for miles around always went when there was a house 
raising. They always put me on a corner. I have gone six or eight miles 
many a time to a house raising. I helped raise Sanford Tilley's house and 
it took two days to raise it for Sanford was mighty particular. 

"There was a still down the creek near a spring on the Ed Aten 
farm. The still was run by Elkanah Glover. I helped raise the building 
for the still. At elections whisky was carried in buckets. 

"The sheriff was the tax collector in those days. He called on me 
to pay my tax which was $1.50. I didn't have a cent in the world and didn't 
know when I would have. But the sheriff made out my receipt and gave 
it to me and told me to pay if I ever had anything to pay with. The 
tax collector is not so easy nowadays. 

"I remember when prices were what we called 'mighty pore.' There 
was no market to sell produce and it cost so much to haul merchandise 
from Liberty and other river towns that we did vdthout everything except 
bare necessities. People used to go to Robidoux's landing for goods — now 
they go to St. Joseph. I once took eggs to Little Hubbard's store in 
Adams Township. Little Hubbard told me he would give me two cents 
a dozen for what I had but not bring anymore. Chickens could not be 
sold at all. The same year I bought a barrel of salt of Fred Westpheling, 
Avho kept a store south of the Hubbard farm. I paid $9.00 for that 
barrel of salt. The salt came up the Missouri River on a steamboat to 
Liberty, then was hauled out by ox team to this county. This made Ireight 
charges very high. 

"One summer I hauled salt from Robidoux's Landing to Elk Creek, 
Iowa, and was paid in corn at twenty-five cents per bushel. Once on my 
way through Eagleville I sold a sack of salt to Mr. Young, the merchant 
there. 'This is the cheapest salt you will ever have brought to your door,' 
I prophesied. 'I'll take it,' said he, convinced. But I proved a false prohet. 

"I once traded a yoke of three-year-old oxen, well-broken, for a Seth 
Thomas clock, second hand. It was a good clock. Little Hubbard was 
the clock peddler in those days. Ed Low, Asep Butler and John Music 
bought clocks for $40 to be in wheat which was to be hauled to Liberty. 
When the time came for payment they did not have the wheat and had to 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 279 

pay the money. Once I sold a cow to Sam Vandivert for $8.00. While I 
was living at Asep Butler's I had two pigs that I had fattened. I had 
raised the corn myself, but when the pigs were fat I did not know what to 
do with them. I had no use for them and nobody else seemed to need 
them. Finally Ed Low and John Music agreed to help me butcher and 
they would take a hog apiece and give me $1.50 per hundred. 

"In June, 1849, I married Rachel Flint, a sister of Larkin and Thomas 
Flint. When we married my wife had a feather bed and I had one horse. 
It took sick and died the next spring. Many times I did without things that 
we needed but we never went in debt. We have traded a good many years 
in Bethany but I have never owned a Bethany merchant five dollars in my 
life. We never got anything till we could pay for it. 

"The first school house in our part of the country stood less than fifty 
yards from the present Maize school house. Ed Low, Asep Butler, John 
Arnold and I cut the logs, rived the clapboards for the roof and puncheons 
for the floor. There was a huge fire place and greased paper windows. 
Hugh Ross, from Ohio, was the first teacher. He aftei-ward went to Mar- 
tinsville and married a lady named Carter. Mr. Ross was paid by sub- 
scription by the settlers. The big spring near the school house is still 
there but all the white oak timber was cut off some years ago for railroad 
ties. 

"East of the school house, by the gate that goes into my pasture, 
there stood a big tree Harve Taylor, one of a gang of systematic horse 
thieves was tied to that tree and whipped until he fainted, for horse steal- 
ing. When released he was told to leave the country or they would kill 
him. He left, but came back later. The settlers caught him near Harris"^ 
Mill and whipped him again. He left the country and settled near Rich- 
mond, Missouri, bought a farm and raised a respectable family. The lint- 
ing made a man of him as he afterwards said. 

"The meeting of the first court was held under a big elm tree at Harris' 
Mill on the west side of Big Creek near the ford in 184.5. I was there. It 
took all the residents in 1845 to make a crowd and then it wasn't a very 
large one. I helped clear off" the brush from the court house square in 
Bethany. I was there when the first lots were sold and remember that 
Harve Young bought one lot. 

"We had most of our corn ground at Harris' Mill. No diflTerence when 
I came to this mill, I never had to wait for my grist. Sometimes when 
the creek was low or frozen, we had to go over to Pole Cat Creek where 



280 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Birdine Taylor had a mill. We drove oxen and had to hitch them to the 
sweep and grind out the grist. 

"I have never been a hunter or a fisherman. I have lived on the bank 
of the creek most of my life, but no man ever caught me on the creek banlc 
fishing, and I had rather split rails any day than go hunting. 

"The first church organized that I know anything about was the 
Christian Church at Bethany. The next was Baptist, two and one-half 
miles from my house, under the leadership of Absolom Hardin. He also 
preached at Hickory Creek. He could preach like everything. The meet- 
ing was held at the log houses, and in fine weather in the woods. Almost 
everybody went to meeting whenever a preacher came along. There were 
so few places to go. I think their going to meeting was more for sociability 
than for religion. 

"The first graveyard I know of was the Hatton Graveyard, near Hank 
Joyce's farm. Ed Low's oldest boy, Alvin Low, bought corn from Mort 
Lantis, who hauled it and put it in the trought just as the cattle would 
eat it, for twelve and a half cents per bushel. 

"After we had lived in the log house a long time we decided to have 
a frame house like some of the neighbors. I hauled the lumber from 
Saint Joseph. When I had the frame up I was overcome with fear. It 
looked dreadfully big to me. John Music stopped one day when I was at 
work. "I don't believe I can finish it," says L "Go ahead," says Music, 
"and I'll help you pay out if you need the money." The frame house 
was finally finished and my old log smokehouse still stands. John Music 
was sure my friend if ever anyone was. 

"I live on the land I first entered and folks, I am spry if I am over 
ninety years of age. I have tried to live in peace and hannony with my 
neighbors and lend them a helping hand when I could." 

Mr. Maize died at his home in Cypress Township October 9th, 1921, 
at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years, two months and four days. 
He retained unusual mental and physical vigor for one of his age to 
within a few weeks of his death. 



CHAPTER XXXII 



REMINISCENNCES— CONTINUED. 



JAMES G. TUCKER-CAME HERB IN 1841-OTHERS IN THE PARTY-SETTLED 
SOUTH OF BETHANY-THE -GRITTER" AND COFFEE MILL-FIRST SCHOOI^ 
INDIANS-WILD TURKEYS AND DEER-WALKING TO LIEERTY-NEATY GAR- 
TON-ATTENDING •■MEBTING--HARRIS- MILI^COUNTY COURT ORGANIZED 
_A TRIP TO ST. JOSEPH-THRESHING FLOOR-VALUE OF HORSES AND OXEN. 

An interesting communication written in 1915 by James G. Tucker 
of the early settlement is as follows: 

"I was born in Indiana about fourteen miles from Greencastle, No- 
vember 8, 1824. When quite young I moved with my parents to Illinois 
and settled on the Mackinaw River about fifteen miles from Bloomington, 
where father built a mill. 

"In the spring of 1841 we started to Missouri in company with J. S. 
Allen, W. R. Allen, Ephraim Stewart, John W. Brown, Thomas Brown, 
C. L.' Jennings, A. W. Allen and a young man named Reeves. The last 
two had no families. 

"Our first stopping place in this county was with Beverly Travis, 
who was already located about five miles south of the present site of 
Bethany. I think John S. Allen remained with Beverly Travis and the 
rest of the company went north of Bethany and camped three-quarters 
of a mile east of the Jake King farm, upon which C. L. Jennings settled. 
W. R. Allen settled where we first camped. John W. Brown settled on 
the Cunniff farm. Thomas Brown bought out a squatter named Collins, 
who had settled on what was known for years as the David Travis place. 
My father, Thomas Tucker, settled on the farm known until recently as 
the Johnson Hogan farm. Ephraim Stewart settled the Madison Buck 
farm and John S. Allen settled on the William T. Buck farm. A. W. Allen 
afterward went to Dunkerson's Grove, where he married. I never knew 
what became of young Reeves. 



282 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

"Of all that company of men, women and children who came in our 
wagon train in 1841 to Missouri, save Emaline Templeman (daughter of 
John S. Allen), Mary Phillebaum, my sister Lizzie and myself. Those 
who had preceded us and were living in this neighborhood though some- 
what scattered were Sharp Winningham, Isaac Cheney, Beverly Travis, 
George Williams, Phillip Harris, Henry Fuller and Collins. 

"When we came to this county we suffered the privations common 
to all pioneers. In those days the "gritter" was a blessing to mankind, 
and the coffee mill did noble service, for it not only ground the precious 
coffee but many a time ground our buckwheat. After a year or two 
Thomas Taylor started a horse-mill near Halleck's farm, which ran for 
several years. 

"The first school I attended was taughfc by Willis Allen in a log 
cabin near Allen Dale's house. The next year John W. Brown taught. 
Teachers usually boarded around. I don't know what they were paid 
for their services, but I do know that they licked me every day, but it 
was no more than my share, I guess. (This was the grandfather of 
Frank Mon'is Frisby — they looked much alike and from that last state- 
ment were, when boys, I presume, much alike. — Ed.) 

"There were plenty of Indians, deer and turkey. The Indians passed 
through our settlement often and camped on the creek near us. They 
would come to Sharp Winningham's to buy pork. They were always 
peaceable. They traded furs and venison hams for our produce. 

"The winter of '41 my father and Lossing Jennings took the con- 
tract to erect a log ice house at Liberty, Missouri. They were there a 
couple of months. They went down afoot and came back the same way, 
each carrying a pack of sugar, coffee and domestic. An unusually heavy 
snow storm began before they arrived at home. That snow stayed on 
all the rest of the winter, more than a foot deep all the time. Soon after 
returning from Liberty mj father engaged to split rails for Sharp Win- 
ningham for fifty cents a hundred. Father never stopped short of his 
hundred a day and often he made more and took it out in meat at $1.50 
per hundred pounds. 

"My sister, Neaty, maiTied David Carton and settled west of Bethany, 
where she lived until her death six years ago. A narrow trail or foot- 
path which one might travel on horseback ran from our settlement, north- 
east of Bethany, diagonally southwest past the old graveyard, the J. S. 
Allen home and Cornelison's store, the postofRce, following the slope to 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 283 

the falls, where Big Creek was forded, as was also West Big Creek north 
of Bob Nelson's house, and finally stopped at Sister Neaty's house. This 
path ran through heavy timber most of the way and the underbrush was 
very thick, especially where the first survey of Bethany was laid out. 
Sister Neaty died in 1909 after the big flood, when most of the bridges 
were carried away. The funeral cortege bearing her remains was com- 
pelled to ford the creek at the falls, as she had done hundreds of times 
sixty-odd years ago. 

"We attended meetings at Phil Harris's house which was led by 
John S. Allen and George Flint. We always went in the ox wagon. In 
those days everybody went to meeting and they seemed to like it. My 
mother was very devout and it was a common saying among the settlers 
that "No woman had a greater faith in the Redeemer than Aunt Betty 
Tucker." My sister, Lizzie, and I thought nothing of riding twenty miles 
on horseback to Pilot Grove, Daviess County, and get there in time for 
eleven o'clock service. 

"After about two years my father rented Harris's mill on Big Creek. 
The log house and mill stood on the west side of the creek at the Slaughter 
bridge. Part of the old dam is yet to be seen when the water is low. My 
brother, John, and I tended a corn crop on the hill east of the creek and 
we waded the water on the bottom to our knees every day that summer 
to get to our corn. Father ran the mill two or three years, Phil Harris 
having gone to Oregon. 

"We lived at the mill when the county court was organized in 1845. 
My mother cooked the dinner that day for the first county judges. The 
m-eeting was held under two large trees that stood close together, a linn 
and an elm. I have done many a washing under those two trees. My 
mother wasn't very strong and the washing fell on me. Though my mother 
was not very robust she served her day and generation as best she could. 
Doctors were few and their practice ranged from the Iowa line to Gallatin, 
consequently their labors were onerous. On the advent of the numerous 
offspring in most of the families for miles around my mother was sent 
for and was ever found the present help in time of trouble. Sometimes 
she would be gone from home for days at a time, having been called from 
one case to another. In some families having from twelve to fifteen chil- 
dren my mother was present at every birth. She rode a large white 
horse named Selah and that horse and its rider were anxiously watched 



284 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

for and gladly welcomed, both at the house of sickness and at home when 
they returned. 

"When I was fourteen years of age a doctor (I can't recall his name) 
practicing medicine in Bethany, ran out of medicine. He wanted some 
one to go to Saint Joseph to get a supply. I agreed to go. I rode a two- 
year-old filly and made the trip in three days. There wasn't a single 
house from Gentryville to Third Fork (near Union Star). I stayed at 
old Mr. Millei-'s house on Third Fork the first night. The second day I 
went to Saint Joseph, got my medicine and back to Mr. Miller's for the 
second night, then on home by the third night. 

"When my father moved from the Hams mill he moved to the Alvord 
place in the south part of Bethany. We built a log house eighteen by 
twenty feet with an addition sixteen by sixteen feet. I hauled all the 
logs from west of Big Creek, where Uncle Sammy Clayton lived. We 
afterwards built a log barn and a large crib with a threshing floor be- 
tween, which was twenty by twenty feet. This was the first threshing 
floor in the neighborhood and people came for miles around to thresh 
their grain here. Threshing grain on this floor was a vast improvement 
over threshing on the ground. It came out so much cleaner and the bread 
was so much whiter. 

"My father sold a horse for $40 that would sell now for $175, and 
a yoke of oxen for $21 and delivered them to Pattonsburg to get money 
to enter the quarter section which included the Alvord place. A part of 
that tract was laid off in town lots and known as Tucker's first and sec- 
ond additions. Later other parts were laid off in the Carton, Heaston, 
King, Nordyke and Elmwood additions. 

"My father died in 1872 at the age of seventy-seven and my mother 
died in 1883 at the age of seventy-eight. After an absence of thirty 
years the return to the scenes of my youth and manhood is fraught with 
pleasure in meeting so many old time friends, though saddened with 
sorrow at the loss of my life companions who shared those scenes and 
memories for nearly sixty years." 

The above letter was written in 1915. The writer was well acquainted 
with Mr. Tucker, and on his advent to this county in 1878 made his home 
at the Elmo Hotel, then kept by Mr. Tucker. 

Mr. Tucker's wife was Rhoda Howell, a daughter of Marshall K. 
Howell, and Mrs. Eva Frisby, wife of Hon. Ezra H. Frisby, is their 
daughter. 



CHAPTER XXXIII 



REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED 



JOHN S. ALLEN— CAME HERE BEFORE HARRISON COUNTY WAS ORGANIZED- 
SETTLED NEAR BETHANY— DELEGATE TO STATE CONVENTION IN 1861— A 
STRONG UNION MAN— ONE OP THE FIRST MASONS HERE— BUSINESS CAREER 
— RELIGIOUS WORK — TEMPERAJMCE ADVOCATE — PERSONAL CHARACTERIS- 
TICS. 

As a further exemplification of the class and character of pioneers, 
the development of their communities and 'the characteristics of the 
leadership they best loved to follow, I introduce here an obituary of Elder 
John S. Allen, written by the late Colonel D. J. Heaston: 

"John S. Allen was bom in Overton County, Tennessee, June 26, 1814. 
He died at his home in Bethany December 13, 1893, aged seventy-seven 
years. In 1832 he moved to Illinois, where in 1835 he was married to 
Nancy Childress, who still survives him, and who for fifty-eight years 
was his worthy companion and helpmeet. 

"In 1841 he came to Missouri and settled near Bethany. There were 
at that time very few white people living north of Bethany. He was 
among the advance guard of white settlers, living upon the margin of 
civilization. At that time the land here had not been surveyed and each 
settler built his cabin and cultivated such land as he desired. At that 
time Harrison County was not organized, but the territory was attached 
to Daviess County for general purposes. In 1845 the county of Harrison 
was organized and the county seat was located where Bethany now 
stands and a quarter section of land was entered in the name of John S. 
Allen for county seat purposes, and he was appointed to lay off the town 
and sell the lots. He was also appointed commissioner to build a court 
house, which duties he performed very acceptably. In the spring of 
1846 upon the death of Thomas Flint, circxiit and county clerk. Parson 



286 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Allen was appointed to fill the vacancy, which office he filled for about 
six months, but refused to be a candidate for re-election. 

"In 1861, when a state convention was elected consisting of three 
delegates from each senatorial district to consider the relations of Mis- 
souri to the Union, to decide which course our state should pursue, John 
S. Allen was elected one of the delegates from this district. In the sev- 
eral meetings of this convention he exerted all his influence in favor of 
Missouri remaining in the Union. These were the only political offices 
he ever held, though often urged to become a candidate for other posi- 
tions. He preferred the quiet of home and the calling of a preacher to 
political preferment. 

"When the Masonic Lodge was organized in Bethany in 1853 he was 
one of the first to take the degrees, and afterwards served several years 
as worshipful master. 

"In 1850 Parson Allen engaged in mercantile business in Bethany 
and continued therein until his death. When in his prime he did a fair 
share of the business, but of late years he used but little exertions to 
keep up trade. 

"In 1872 he with others organized the Bethany Savings Bank, of 
which he was long the president and a large stockholder. 

"When the public lands were first opened for entry in this county 
he entered a large amount of choice lands and from this source and judici- 
ous management and that careful economy that distinguished him, accomu- 
lated considerable property. While he was careful and close in his busi- 
ness affairs it is believed that he never knowingly wronged one out of 
a cent. 

"I have not yet spoken of Parson Allen's religious life and character. 
It was in this that he was best known and most distinguished, and will 
be longest remembered. In 1827 he had united with the Christian Church 
and had been made an elder in the congregation. As soon as he had 
pitched his tent in the new country he had called his neighbors together 
"on the first day of the week" and in the shade of an unbroken forest he 
preached to them the unsearchable riches of the Gospel, and upon the 
very edge of civilization he erected an altar for the worship of the one 
true and living God and afterwards for forty years he continued to preach 
to his congregation and break bread with them around their alter 'with 
out money and without price.' Besides preaching freely at home, he helped 
to organize other congregations in this and adjoining counties. He also 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 287 

gave liberally of his means as the Lord prospered him to build churches 
and carry on the good work. He never wavered or doubted but was a 
constant and consistent Christian. 

"He was not a religious zealot, but was a good, straightforward, 
every day Christian, always the same without variableness or shadow of 
turning. I believe he was the most even tempered man that I ever knew. 
At all times, in all places and under all circumstances he was the same 
calm, cool and consistent Christian gentleman. 

"With him thei'e was no high tide and low tide, but the same constant, 
unhurried, overflowing stream, as if supplied from the same unvarying 
fountain. It may be permitted me to echo what I believe to be the gen- 
eral sentiment of esteem in which he was held by all who knew him. 

"As a man he was frank in disposition, courteous in manners, gen- 
erous in spirit, brave in principle, true to every trust reposed in him. 
There was about him no pomp, ostentation, or desire to be conspicuous, 
but on the contrary he was modest, retiring, somewhat reticent and there- 
fore needed to be thoroughly and closely cultivated to be fully understood 
and appreciated. He was not ambitious of outward show, notoriety or 
political distinction, but all he did was in the spirit of meekness, and for 
the advancement of the Master's cause. He hated shams and false teach- 
ings and despised hypocrisy. He felt it was his duty to antagonize error 
and to fight sin. 

"He was an uncompromising temperance man because he believed 
that intoxicating liquors were the cause of much sin and misery. He 
said to me once that he disliked making temperance speeches because he 
could hardly do so without off'ending somebody, and a temperance speech 
that did not attack the rum traffic had as well not be made. In his kind- 
ness of heart he was sorry to hurt the feelings of even the rum seller. 
Parson Allen had but poor school privileges when young but by extensive 
reading and close observation of men and things he became a well in- 
formed man. He was not an orator, but a convincing speaker. He spoke 
from the sincerity of motive and was filled with an honest conviction of 
right and duty and this made him appear always earnest. He spoke from 
the heart and generally reached the heart. 

"He had a superb voice, clear as crystal and ringing like a bell. He 
had a commanding appearance and large brain and when he arose before 
an audience he attracted their attention at once, and held it until he 
closed. He was an original thinker and naturally witty and seasoned 



288 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

his addresses with enough wit to please, while it entertained and con- 
vinced. He interested his hearers by the honest utterance and honest 
faith of an honest and sincere man. He believed what he said, and a 
zeal which only comes from devotion to truth kindled corresponding fires 
in the hearts of his hearers. He was simple, plain and honest in his 
every day life and his purity of character was a great element of his 
strength. 

"The personal charactes of Parson Allen was full of noble qualities, 
endearing him to his friends while living, and making his memory a 
constant delight. Kindness of heart seemed to mellow his whole nature. 
There was in him neither envy nor hate and only generosity, charity and 
good will. In many respects he was a remarkable man. For the past 
fifty years he has been the most prominent man in our county. To him 
are we more indebted for good society, for religious development, and 
for all that makes our people happy and good than any other man that 
ever lived in the county. 'With charity for all and malice toward none' 
he went about among his neighbors doing good. It was his mission to 
preach the word, help the poor and aid the deserving. 

"Every good work received his pure heart and noble soul. He had 
the zeal of a martyr and the valor of a patriot. In him was greatness, but 
it was the greatness of unselfishness, gentle and pure as the heart of a 
child. In him was charity. Charity white and gentle as the moonlight 
that shines into the shadow of night. In him was heroism — it was the 
heroism of the knight that draws no sword but waved in his hand, high 
above his benevolent brow, the sacred wand of religion, of love and of 
fraternity. 

"By reason of strength and good habits his life was lengthened to 
the Psalmist's four score years. But now he has gone. He has fallen 
like the mighty oak in the stillness of the forest. We can only mourn 
his loss and indulge the fond hope that the good he has done may live 
after him, that this sad bereavement may do much to help seal the truth 
he so long taught, that his public utterances like good seed sown upon 
fertile soil may continue to bring forth good fruits of an hundred fold, 
and that the hearts of his neighbors may be brought together in a union 
cf fraternity, fellowship and love. 

"Having known Parson Allen intimately for more than a third of 
a century, having counseled and associated with him closely and having 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 289 

been in perfect accord on nearly every question, I deem it a pleasure to 
bear witness to his many good qualities of head and heart, to make this 
statement voluntarily, and without solicitation, to pay this tribute of 
respect to one I have known and admired so long. Farewell, kind teacher. 
Dear friend, farewell." — D. J. Heaston. 



(14) 



CHAPTER XXXIV 



REMINISCENCES— CONTINUED. 



IN THE OLD DAYS— CAINSVILLE AND VICINITY IN 1858— BY A. F. WOODRUFF OP 
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO. 

I came to Cainsville about the middle of June, 1858, having migrated 
from Scioto County, Ohio, with my brother of the half-blood, A. J. Tucker, 
who had bought a fanii about a mile north of the town the year before. 
The family of A. J. Tucker at that time consisted of himself, his wife, 
Keturah F. ; a son, David E., then an infant; a sister-in-law, Esther J. 
Woodruff, and myself. Cainsville was then a small village that had 
jfrown up around Peter Cain's water mill, which had been erected some 
years before at that point on Grand River. Grand River was a crooked, 
sluggish, muddy stream, so small in comparison to other rivers with 
which the early settlers had been familier that they were disposed to 
belittle it by calling it a creek. 

Cainsville is located in the northeastern part of Harrison County, 
Missouri, in a part of the state which was but sparsely settled in 1858. 
The adjacent country was fertile and beautiful. It was sufficiently rolling 
to be attractive without being hilly. The sui-face of the ground was made 
up of prairie and timber; the timber predominating. Much of the so- 
called timber land was covered with a growth of shrubs, such as hazel, 
stool oak, alder and shumack. This shrub covered land was always desig- 
nated as "brush"land. In summer the prairie, covered with tall grass of 
two or three varieties, which was interspersed with many wild flowei's, 
was a thing of beauty. Probably three-fifths of the territoi-y around 
Cainsville was unenclosed and unbroken. The country had not been man- 
handled. The unenclosed portion belonged for the most part to non- 
residents of the state, and was free pasturage for anyone who wanted to 
use it. None of the timber was so large as that found in states further 
east, nor was there so great a variety. Oak, elm, hickory, walnut, ash. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 291 

basswood, cottonwood and maple were the principal varieties. No beech, 
popular or chestnut were to be found. The country was well watered; 
many small streams furnishing water in abundance for live stock, and 
wa4;er of good quality for domestic use could usually be secured by sink- 
ing wells to a depth of from twenty to forty feet. 

I do not know whether the town built the mill, or the mill built the 
town. I think the latter is the correct supposition. I have made some 
effort to determine just how large, or better said, just how small the 
town was in 1858, but have failed to do so. The census of 1860 throws 
no light on the question, as towns having less than 1,000 inhabitants 
were not given a separate enumeration, buti were included with the 
municipal tovniship in which they happened to be located. I do not 
believe there were over 100 souls in the town the day I arrived. There 
were perhaps thirty children attending the summer school that year in 
Cainsville, about one-fourth of whom did not live in the town. Hannibal 
Harrison was the teacher. I think 100 is a liberal estimate of the popu- 
lation of Cainsville in 1858. 

The name Cainsville, literally Cain's town, was derived, as everyone 
knows, from Cain's mill, being an adaptation and euphony of the latter 
name. In the year 1858 there was still standing one finger board that I 
recall, directing the traveler to Cain's mill. The name is sometimes 
erroneously written "Cainesville." I believe it is spelled that way in the 
United States Postal Guide, so that the postoffice at Cainsville is 
"Cainesville." 

As before stated, the town had grown up around Cain's mill. The 
first reason for the tovra was the necessity for houses in which the 
employees of the mill could live, the owner, Peter Cain, living five or six 
miles south in the country. A postoffice, blacksmith shop and trading 
post were necessary at that point, as well as a mill. These necessitated 
people, and the people built houses. Princeton was at that time the 
nearest trading post to Cainsville, being a little nearer than Eagleville. 

Peter Cain's mill was a saw and grist mill of rather crude construc- 
tion, but good for that time and place. A dam had been constructed 
across Grand River at that point to get a head of water, a mill race 
built in connection, and the power furnished by passing the water through 
the mill race and over an overshot wheel. The sawing was done by a 
single upright saw, set in a frame, and the machinery for making flour 
and meal was imperfect. However, both the flour and meal produced 



292 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

were probably more suitable for human food than the same articles now 
offered to the public by our grocers. Especially was this true of the 
meal, which was far better than the present day highly pulverized prod- 
uct sold under that name. The buckwheat flour was a unique article of 
food. The mill did not have the proper machinery to separate the hull 
of the buckwheat from the flour, so that this flour resembled the ordinary 
flour with a plentiful mixture of iron filings. The weakness of the ma- 
chinery was demonstrated on one occasion when the mill suddenly stopped, 
and an investigation showed that a large catfish had lodged in the water 
wheel ! This is not intended as a fish story. 

The people came a distance of thirty or forty miles to this mill and 
camped while waiting to have their grists ground. There was a large 
room on the east side of the mill on the first floor which was set apart 
as a sleeping room for the people waiting for their grists. I do not know 
why the people did not exchange their grain for flour and meal, and thus 
avoid the long delay. Perhaps the mill owners were not prepared to 
make the exchange. 

During the winter the people in the vicinity of the mill, say within 
five or six miles, hauled in logs, usually on sleds or log wagons, and filled 
the mill yard with them. The mill yard was a large lot on the east side 
of the mill, and south of Cain & Bailey's store, which was located where 
the Cainsville Bani now stands. The timber furnished was for the most 
part walnut, oak, basswood and cottonwood. In the spring when water 
was plenty in the river this timber was sawed into lumber, which was 
used in the construction of houses, barns and fences. 

A. J. Tucker built a house on his farm north of Cainsville which is 
now occupied by Calvin Cain and family. It was nothing remarkable 
that a man should build a house, but the remarkable thing about the 
Tucker house was that it was constructed largely of the very best quality 
of walnut and white oak lumber. The frame and roof were of oak and 
the siding and finishing of the best walnut. The shingles for this house 
were hand made. They were rived from blocks of red oak timber with 
a froe and shaved into shape with a drawing knife. Not only was the 
finest of lumber used for building houses and barns, but fences also. 
That was the day of worm fences, and many oak and walnut rails were 
used in their construction. It was a saying that the walnut rails would 
last until they were used up by the wasps, hornets and yellow jackets for 
the purpose of building their nests. The settlers needed clear ground 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 293 

upon which to grow crops, and the destruction of the growing timber 
went on every day in the year. Fifty years afterward the timber so 
destroyed would have been almost as valuable as the land. The common 
way to get rid of forests was to make a "deadening." All the trees in 
a tract of land were girdled when the sap was up and left standing. As 
the trees thus treated soon died, root and branch, the ground ceased to 
be shaded by foliage and corn and other crops could be grown among the 
standing trees. In many instances these dead trees were felled, rolled 
into great heaps and burned. 

At first the houses of the people were naturally built of logs, usually 
of one large room, serving like the Roman atrium as a place for all house- 
hold operations. It was at once parlor, kitchen, dining room and bed 
room. Bath rooms were not dreamed of. Even the White House had 
no bath room until 1851, when one was installed by Millard Fillmore. 
The laundry work was done in the yard by the side of the well, or if 
there were no well, as was frequently the case, then by the side of some 
creek where wood and water were abundant. The houses in Cainsville, 
thanks to Peter Cain's mill, were for the most part built of plank and 
other sawed timber. The houses in the country were almost wholly of 
logs. There was a recognition of two classes of log houses among the 
people — the hewn log houses and the log cabin. The hewn log house was 
built, as the name indicates, of logs that had been hewn flat with a broad 
axe on one or two sides. The cracks between the logs were chinked with 
short pieces of wood, and plastered over with lime mortar. The floor was 
of plank, the roof of shingles and the chimney and fireplace of brick. 
This hewTi log house usually had doors of dressed lumber, fastened with 
lock and key, and the windows were glazed. Sometimes these houses 
were double ; that is, had two rooms with a hall or corridor between. 
Occasionally such a house had two stories with a ladder for a stairway 
between them. The hewn log house was in fact the ne plus ultra of log 
houses, and was considered good enough for the most prosperous citizen. 

The log cabin was built in the most primitive manner. No nails 
were used in its construction. For the walls round logs, having the bark 
on them, were used. The chinks between the logs were daubed or plastered 
with a mortar, whose principal ingredient was the tough yellow clay sub- 
soil found in that part of Missouri. It had a clapboard roof, the boards 
being held in place by weight poles instead of nails. These clapboards 
were rived from small logs of some straight grained timber that could be 



294 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

easily split, and were remarkably smooth and regular to have been made 
in such a manner. The floor was of puncheon. Such a floor is necessarily 
rough, uneven and open, but very substantial. The clapboard roof of the 
cabin turned rain tolerably well, but did not always keep out snow, 
especially when the snow was accompanied by a strong wind. The boards 
not being nailed, the wind would drive the snow through them into the 
cabin, and it was no uncommon thing in winter for the occupants of a 
cabin to find their bed covered with snow on a winter morning. 

The log cabin had a "stick" chimney, that is, a chimney built of logs 
and lath. The base of the chimney was built of split logs, laid up in 
the form of a parallelogram, notched and locked at the corners so as to 
make a fireplace. The upper part of the chimney was built of clapboards 
split into narrow strips like lath. The whole inside of the chimney was 
then plastered with a heavy coating of yellow clay mortar. The action of 
the heat on this mortar hardened it so that it was almost equal to fire 
brick. There were usually no windows, and the doors, which were of 
clapboards, were left open winter and summer to afford light. The door 
had a latch inside instead of a lock, and for a key there was a latchstring, 
which was pulled in to lock the door. An old expression of hospitality 
was, "My latchstring is always out." 

The fireplace was very large, and great logs could be used in it for 
building a fire. The method of building a fire was to roll a large log of 
some slow-burning green timber, like buckeye, cotton wood or water elm, 
in the back part of the fireplace. Against this log the andirons or dog 
irons, as they were commonly called, were placed. On these andirons 
another log of considerably smaller size than the back log was laid. This 
log was called the forestick. Between the back log and forestick was 
placed a quantity of combustible wood, which was lighted, and thus the 
fire-making was completed. This method of heating was a great success 
in the matter of ventilation, but measurably a failure in other respects. 
On a cold day people sitting close to the fire burned, and those farther 
away froze. 

The people of Cainsville and vicinity at the time of which I write 
were pioneers of the most hardy variety, nearly all of them being under 
forty. They had come from the states east and south of Missouri ; most 
of them from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia 
and Tennessee. Very few of them were from the New England states. 
Many motives no doubt prompted them to make the change, but the 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 295 

principal one was the desire to get more and better land. The northern 
element predominated. The slaveholders of the South considered that 
part of Missouri too close to Iowa to be a safe place to bring their slaves. 
I believe there never were but twenty-five slaves in Harrison County. 
There were practically no distinctions of class or cast among the people. 
They were substantially on the same level, there were no millionaires 
and no paupers, no "four hundred" and no slums. 

The people for the most part were uneducated so far as books and 
schools were concerned. Very few of them had so much as a high school 
education, and some of them were entirely illiterate, being unable either 
to read or write. While this was true they were by nature intellectually 
keen and observing and could not be easily deceived by evil disposed or 
dishonest people. They were usually well inclined toward their neighbors 
and sun'oundings and seldom missed an opportunity to do a kind act. 
These early settlers were Arabian in their hospitality. Houses of enter- 
tainment were infrequent ; the farmers were often comparatively isolated, 
and though scant of cash they usually had enough and to spare of plain 
provisions for man and beast, and as a general rule the chance traveler 
found welcome and shelter for himself and horse if he knocked at any 
door which he chanced to approach toward nightfall. Payment commonly 
offered was almost always refused. Of course the very highest degree of 
refinement is not usually found among pioneers. Their intentions are 
better than their practices. It was not unusual for a party of men talking 
among themselves to indulge in ribald jokes and stories, and coarse 
repartee. 

The various families were independent and nearly self-supporting. 
Every family produced about all of its needs except salt, sugar, coffee, 
tea, a few articles of clothing and farm implements. Much of the material 
for clothing was produced by the women of the family in the shape of 
linsey-woolsey and jeans. The machinery for making this cloth was 
comparatively simple ; two spinning wheels, one a small one, or flax wheel, 
and the other a larger woolen wheel, a reel and a loom. The flax wheel 
was run by the action of the foot of the operator on a treadle. The 
larger wheel was operated by a woman standing and turning the wheel 
with her hand while walking backward to draw out into a thread the roll 
of wool attached to the spindle. From this work of spinning came the 
word "spinster" applied in law to an unmarried woman. When a girl 
was old enough to spin sixteen "cuts" (skeins) of yam in a day she was 



296 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

considered a woman. All of the homemade cloth had either a flax or 
cotton warp and a wool woof, and was woven in a loom of rather rough 
construction, but effective in doing the work for which it was built. About 
1858, or soon thereafter, the spinning of flax was generally abandoned, 
and a cotton thread prepared somewhere in the East was used for the 
warp. The woolen rolls from which the yarn used in cloth making was 
spun were sometimes carded at home with hand cards, and sometimes by 
carding machines run by steam or water power. The dyes used were not 
made in Germany, but were entirely homemade, the colors being usually 
blue and brown. The blue dye was made by combining indigo, salt and 
water with yeast, and the brown by the use of the bark of the black 
walnut tree and the hulls of the walnuts. 

With the exception of some men who worked in the mill and a few 
merchants, all the people in Cainsville and vicinity were engaged in 
farming and stock raising. There were no scientific farmers or stockmen 
in the country. They did not use scientific methods in farm manage- 
ment; there was no rotation of crops, no fertilization, and no attempt to 
presei"ve the fertility of the soil. There was no blooded or pedigreed 
stock. It took two years to develop a hog suitable for market. There 
was really little necessity for scientific farming; the land was so new, 
rich and productive that a very common farmer could produce enough on 
forty acres to support a family of three or four persons, with the neces- 
sary live stock, by working about four months during the year. The 
other eight months he could spend for the most part in Cainsville at 
one of her many forums discussing politics and religion and swapping 
horses. 

The principal, and practically the only crops grown, were com, oats, 
potatoes and cabbage, with some garden vegetables. Corn was the uni- 
versal crop. It furnished food for both man and beast. Cornbread, mush 
and hominy, with pork, was the principal food of the people; "hog and 
hominy" in the expressive language of the pioneer. There were no com 
planters so the com was dropped by hand and covered with hoes. Seven 
was the magic number of grains to a hill. This number was sanctioned 
by an old couplet which said: 

"One for the black bird, one for the crow. 
Two for the cut worm, three for to grow." 

Very little wheat was grovra. It was not considered a safe crop. 



HISTORY OF HAKRISON COUNTY 297 

Farm implements were scarce, and those that were used were very 
simple in character. The most complicated was the double-shovel plow. 
Reaping the grain was done largely with an old fashioned grain cradle, 
and sometimes with a sickle. The modern reaper and mower had not 
come into general use, and the binder did not appear for many years. 
There were no threshing machines in the country, and the grain was 
thi-ashed for the most part by making a circular threshing floor on the 
ground, spreading the sheaves of wheat over the floor and trampmg it 
out with horses. In a few cases the old fashioned flail was still used. The 
flail was two hickory sticks, one somewhat longer than the other, fastened 
together with a piece of buckskin or raw hide. After the wheat was 
threshed, by whatever method, it became necessary to clean it by using 
a fanning mill, which was run by man power. 

While, as I have before stated, there were practically no distinctions 
of cast or class among the people, family distinctions were preserved. 
The names of some of the families in that section of the country at that 
time were as follows: Booth, Baker, Browning, Bailey, Burns, Chambers, 
Cain, Clark, Cornwell, Downey, Enloe, Fullerton, Frazee, Glaze, Harrison. 
Hart, Kennedy, Lay, Moss, McAfee, McElfish, Mullins, Oxford, Pierce, 
Reeves, Ristine, Smothers, Twedell, Willis and Woodward. 

The names of some of the most prominent residents and business 
men of Cainsville and vicinity were : John Bailey, Peter Cain, William T. 
Browning, William Burns, Andrew Clark, James Clark, T. M. Fullerton, 
William C. Frazee, Samuel H. Glaze, Marcellus (Dick) Moss, C. B. McAfee. 
William McElfish, Jacob B. Oxford, Joseph H. Pierce, William C. Reaves, 
John Ristine, Lewis R. Twedell, John Woodward, Chesley Woodward, 
Hannibal Harrison and Lafayette Cornwell. 

A number of men who have played an important part in the business, 
social and religious affairs of Cainsville came there after 1858. Con- 
spicuous among these men were T. G. Rogers and John M. Rogers, who 
came in 1859, J. H. Burrows in 1862 and L. M. Wickersham about 1870. 
The two most prominent men who had at some time in their lives called 
Cainsville their home were C. B. McAfee and J. H. Burrows. 

Of the citizens above named John Bailey, in connection with Peter 
Cain, was building a storehouse for the pui-pose of carrying on a mer- 
cantile business. This house was being erected on the lot where the 
Cainsville bank now stands. I cannot forbear mentioning an incident in 
connection with this store building. A political meeting was held in its 



298 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

lower story some time in August, 1858. This was the first political meet- 
ing I ever attended. It was held for the purpose of giving the candidates 
for the Legislature an opportunity to speak to the people in order to 
present their claims for their suffrage. The men who spoke on this 
occasion were Stephen C. Allen, Henry 0. Neville and J. A. Hubbard, 
called "Big Hubbard" to distinguish him from another prominent citizen, 
E. L. Hubbard, who was little. Allen was the Democratic candidate, 
Neville the Whig candidate, but I do not know what party Hubbard rep- 
resented. Browning and McAfee were setting up and selling fanning 
mills. Their business house or shop stood two or three rods south of 
Cain & Bailey's store. Andrew Clark had a general store on the south- 
west corner of Washington and Lafayette Streets. C. B. McAfee, Brown- 
mg's partner, was also an attorney, having been admitted to practice in 
1854. James Clark was a clerk in the store of his father, Andrew Clark. 
T. M. Fullerton was the principal doctor in the town. Doctors Perriman, 
Enloe and Bryant caine later. Lafayette Coniwell was also a doctor. He 
was a heavy drinker, quite unreliable, and knew less about more things 
than any other person in the community. Dick Moss was the leading 
merchant. His store stood on Main Street, looking south on Washington. 
William McElfish was a cabinet maker, and aftenvard became the post- 
master. FYazee and Twedell were farmers living in town. Joseph H. 
Pierce was a blacksmith, also the maker and mender of plows, wagons 
and other farm machinery. Jacob B. Oxford had the only hostelry the 
town afforded. This was his residence, situated at the southeast corner 
of Washington and Main Streets, about where the Estep furniture store 
is now located. The somewhat unique sign on his house read: 

"J. B. OXFORD, 

Travelers' Rest." 

Hannibal Harrison was a farmer and teacher. He was a good teacher 
for that time, somewhat eccentric, and much addicted to mathematics, 
so much so that later he became one of the best mathematicians in the 
state. In religion he was an agnostic without knowing it, as Huxley had 
not yet invented and defined that term. Chesley and John Woodward, 
father and son, were farmers and local ministers of the Missionary Baptist 
Church. They were men of the very highest standing in the community. 
William C. Reeves had a grocery store on Washington Street, facing west, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 299 

from which he distributed groceries, and also sold liquor, both wholesale 
and retail. He had a sign tacked on the front of the store printed on 
white canvas, which said: 

"WHISKEY 50c. PER GAL. 
All groceries very cheap." 

Ihis sign was neatly printed and must have been done in Saint Louis, 
as there were no sign painters in Cainsville at that time. The pari relat- 
ing to whiskey was in letters three inches high, while that relating to 
groceries was in small letters. This sign may have indicated by the size 
of the letters the relative value placed upon whiskey and groceries in 
Cainsville at that time. 

There was very little crime among the people and practically no 
divorces or elopements. The overtopping vice among them was the drink 
habit. At the very inception it may be well to say that at the time and 
in the place of which I write, liquor selling and liquor using were a matter 
of course. During the three decades from 1830 to 1860 the liquor traffic 
flourished in the United States like the proverbial green bay tree. The 
manufacture, sale and use of intoxicating liquor was almost universal. 
Anybody sold liquor who was able to pay a small fee for license to do so, 
and everybody drank it who felt so inclined. The greatest American of 
the ages, Abraham Lincoln, was selling liquor in New Salem, Illinois, in 
1831. He was a clerk in a general store kept by a man named Denton 
Orfutt. In this store was kept all kind§ of merchandise, including liquors, 
or at least whiskey, which was the principal liquor used at that time. 
Lincoln in performing his duties as clerk sold liquor whenever it was called 
for. Orfutt did not keep a saloon, but a general store, so that the charge 
which has been made against Lincoln that he was a saloon-keeper at one 
time is not true. In the great debates between Lincoln and Douglass in 
1858, Douglass in one of them charged Lincoln with having been a liquor 
seller. Lincoln in reply admitted the charge, but said that while he was 
on the inside of the counter selling liquor Judge Douglass was on the 
outside buying and drinking it. It was a common practice at that time for 
grocery stores to dispense liquor either by wholesale or retail, and some- 
times by both methods. The people did not seem to recognize any moral 
quality in the act of selling or using liquor. Liquor dealers were not socially 
ostracized, or even criticized, and a drunkard was pitied but not despised. 
The economical aspect of the traffic was apparently not considered. The 



300 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

cost of liquor to the consumer was nominal, there being no internal 
revenue tax upon it. In the year 1914 the nation's liquor bill had reached 
the astounding figure of something over three billions of dollars. In 1858 
it was probably not one-hundredth of that amount. 

A large majority of the adult males in that section of the country 
used liquor to some extent. Not all the men who habitually used liquor 
visited the public drinking places. A very considerable number of them 
did, and others bought liquor in quantities of from one to five gallons and 
carried it home in jugs, kegs and demijohns. This liquor so taken home 
was dignified by calling it "bitters" after they had put in it some mild 
drug or substance, such as spikenard, calamus or wild cherry bark, and 
tried to convince themselves it was necessary to drink the concoction for 
their health, as there was a great deal of malaria in that country at that 
time. A few put quinine in the whiskey, and the quinine probably had 
some merit in warding off chills and fever. Practically all of the liquors 
consumed in that day were of the strong variety, whiskey being the 
principal one, and in addi'tion to it gin and brandy. Very few drank beer 
or any of the light wines. 

The women did not drink. They may not have considered it good 
form for them to do so, but probably a stronger reason was because they 
were disgusted with the drink habits of their male relatives. They knew 
by observation that liquor made the men who used it to excess drunkards 
and loafers; so the women did not drink and were unfriendly to the 
liquor traflfic. But there were other reasons why the women did not use 
liquor; even if they had had the inclination, they did not have the time. 

It appears to be true in all new settlements that the burdens rest 
more heavily upon the women. Because of pioneer conditions they must 
do much work that would not be required of them in older countries, and 
this was true in Missouri. In addition to the usual household duties they 
did spinning, knitting, weaving and tailoring. But this was not all; the 
dairy work, garden making and tending, and poultry raising also devolved 
upon them. Because there were no cook stoves, perforce they cooked by 
the fireplace, and as most of the fireplaces had no ci'anes much stooping 
was necessary to gather live coals to put under the skillets, and on and 
nnder the ovens. The crane was an iron bar attached by a hinge to the 
side of the fireplace, permitting a horizontal motion, and was used for 
hanging pots, kettles and other vessels over the fire. The heat faced in 
cooking at a fireplace is quite unpleasant at any time, and especially so 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 301 

in summer. If anything used in household work got out of order it was 
usually left so, as the men folks always thought themselves too busy to 
make repairs. I knew one woman who dipped water out of an iron tea- 
kettle with a tin cup for ten years because the accumulation of lime from 
the water had closed the spout. A few minutes' work by the man of the 
house would have relieved her of this trouble. The lives of these pioneer 
women convince us, if we need to be convinced, that notwithstanding cold 
or thirst, or hunger, or any kind or degree of physical suffering, a woman 
can outlast a man. Some of the older women smoked pipes, and possibly 
a few of them dipped snuff, but they were very hard working and humble. 
As wives they were at all times faithful and thrifty, and had all of the 
virtues but none of the vices of their husbands. 

The principal diversions of the people were dancing, hunting, card 
playing, social or play parties, horse races and shooting matches. There 
was an old stanza of doggerel that I have heard men repeat, while play- 
ing cards, which indicated the trend of sentiment in regard to sports in 
that section. It ran like this : 

"The deuce of hearts, the Jack of spades, 

I trump no ace, my partner leads; 
The fastest hoss, the truest gun. 

The best old coon dog ever run." 

There were some functions that might be called quasi-diversions, for they 
had the double nature of work and play. Among these were house rais- 
ings, husking bees, quilting parties and log rollings. Somewhat akin to 
amusements were the protracted meetings or revivals, and the spelling 
and singing schools in the winter, and the camp meetings and basket 
meetings in the summer. These latter had some stronger social attrac- 
tions than the others. Of all these functions, probably the most important 
in the estimation of the people were the house raising and the shooting 
match. House raising was not what would come under that name at the 
present time, the mere lifting in place of the frame work of a house, but 
it meant the building entire of a house or cabin out of logs. When a 
pioneer decided to build, he went into the forest, cut the logs and hewed 
them, if the house was to be a hewn log house, and if not he simply cut 
and trimmed them. After doing this the logs were assembled at the 
point where the house was to be erected. Ten or twelve neighbors were 
then invited to the "raising." Four men were selected as corner-men. 



302 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

These men had to be excellent ax-men, as it was their duty, when each 
log was handed up to them, to cut a "hip and saddle" at the ends so that 
the logs would lay solidly together. I presume there are not four men 
now in Hamson County who could carry up the corners of a log cabin. 
The business of the men, other than the corner-men, was to skid the logs 
up and put them in place, one by one, as they were needed. In connection 
with the house raising was a most excellent farm dinner, prepared and 
served by the wife of the builder, aided by the wives of some of the 
men acting as helpers. 

The horse races were generally run for a small wager, and the same 
was true of the card playing. The horses used were what are known as 
"quarter horses," that is, their endurance only enabled them to run a 
quarter of a mile. 

The shooting matches were usually for beef. A number of men who 
were to engage in the match contributed the price of a beef, and each one 
was allotted a certain number of shots in proportion to the amount he 
contributed. The beef was killed and divided into six parts, the quarters 
and the hide and tallow. There was no modem system used in these 
matches, as there would be today, in the way of steel targets and target 
rifles. The targets used were boards having a piece of white paper tacked 
on them, upon which there were drawn with a heavy pencil two straight 
lines intersecting each other. The point where the lines intersected was 
the center of the target. From the practice of using boards for targets 
came the expression, "your board is up." With such targets there was 
sometimes considerable difficulty in telling who had done the best shoot- 
ing, as the center would frequently be shot away before the match was 
finished. The men who engaged in these matches were usually most 
excellent marksmen, and many of them afterwards served in the armies 
in the Civil War as riflemen and sharpshooters. The judges selected by 
the marksman would ascertain as best they could with regard to the skill 
of the various contestants, and render a decision accordingly. The dis- 
tances were usually ten yai'ds off hand, twenty yards standing with a 
rest, and thirty yards lying down with a rest. The shooting was done 
with muzzle-loading rifles altogether, and as these rifles had been made 
by gunsmiths in various parts of the country, they might be called home- 
made. They were not manufactured by any of the arms companies of 
that day. Tallow was a very important article of commerce, as well as 
for home use. It was used in making candles, which were the principal 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 303 

and in fact almost the only means of lighting the houses at that time. It 
was also used in connection with beeswax and other non-perishable things 
as something to be exchanged in the towns and cities for goods. Beeswax 
and tallow were considered a part of the currency of the realm, and legal 
tender in the matter of exchange for other products. 

Any account of the pioneer people and conditions which left out the 
subject of marriage, the most sacred contract, and its attendant inci- 
dents would be incomplete. Early marriag has always been the rule 
among pioneers, and has been encouraged. The young people had the 
greatest freedom of social intercourse; parents were not inclined to be 
strict, and the word "chaperon" was not in the lexicons of that day. As 
a consequence marriages were contracted without the intervention of 
parents or other relatives. It can truthfully be said that most of them 
were "love matches," untarnished by commercialism or convenience. It 
is true a few of the young people found it easier to fall in love with one 
of the opposite sex whose father had a thousand acres of land than with 
one whose father had only eighty acres, but such cases were rare. 

Marriage ceremonies were frequently brief almost to the point of 
being rude. There were no ring sei-vices, no giving away of the bride 
and seldom any music, as organs and pianos had not yet come into the 
homes of the people. At well ordered weddings the ceremony was solemn- 
ized by a minister of the bride's church, or by a minister of some other 
church, as agreed upon by the contracting parties. As a rule the mar- 
riage took place at the home of the bride, there being very few church 
weddings. There were many customs occurrent at weddings, wise and 
unwise. Some of these were uncouth, and almost barbaric, "more honored 
in the breach than in the observance." Happily all these customs did not 
accompany each wedding. No banns were ever published, and no marriage 
license was required. Persons contemplating marriage were supposed to 
be of lawful age ; the man twenty-one years old and the woman eighteen. 
It was the custom for the m.inister or officer officiating to call for objec- 
tions before commencing the ceremony. He would explain the intention 
of the couple before him to be married, giving their names, and say, "If 
any person now present knows of any reason why this couple should not 
be joined in the holy bonds of matrimony, let him now state his objec- 
tions, or forever after hold his peace." Sometimes at the conclusion of 
the ceremony the preacher would kiss the bride, when all the men guests 
would feel privileged by this example to do the same, and in the meantime 



304 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the bridegroom went about kissing all the women in attendance. The 
germ theory of disease had not yet been promulgated. 

The wedding dinner way the very best that could be prepared by the 
bride's family. The bill of fare included two or three kinds of meat, such 
as roast turkey or chicken, with most delicious and savory sauce and 
dressing, with sage flavoring ; also roast pig and some kind of game when 
it could be procured. With these meats were all the accessories that 
went to make us a sumptuous meal. There was cake a plenty. In addi- 
tion to the bride's cake there was jelly cake, fruit cake, pound cake, sweet 
cakes, "twister" doughnuts and ginger bread; there were pumpkin pies, 
mince pies and custard pies, and the most toothsome preserves of wild 
plums, crabapples, tomatoes and watermelon rinds; jam and jellies of 
various kinds, with oceans of milk and cream; also pickles of all sorts. 
Plenty of strong coffee crowned the feast. There were no courses, a 
part of everything prepared for the spread was put on the table, leaving 
a reserve for the second table. "There was always some mush m the 
pot." There were no waiters, the guests helped themselves and one 
another. There was no dessert, no napkins and no finger bowls. 

On the day following the wedding came the infair. That was a party 
and dinner given by the parents of the groom, as a sort of welcome to 
the bride and her relatives. At this dinner practically the same guests 
were invited and in attendance as at the wedding. 

A decidedly outlandish custom was that of "bedding" the bride and 
groom. Soon after the wedding dinner, then styled "supper," was over 
the young women took the bride and put her to bed in the room prepared 
for the couple. Some of the young men would then do the same with the 
groom. This being accomplished the unmarried guests of both sexes 
would repair together to the bridal chamber and exchange jokes and 
bandinage with the newlyweds. Another custom somewhat barbaric in 
its nature was the charivari (shivaree), which generally came on the 
night of the v/edding. A charivari was a big, unmitigated noise, a wild 
tumult and uproar produced by every noise-making contraption imagin- 
able; guns, pistols, cowbells, tin pans, tin horns, conch-shells, whistles, 
rattle-traps, horse-fiiddles and dumb-bulls. Sometimes these numerous 
instruments of sound were accompanied by the yells of the operators. 
The perpetrators of a charavari generally held no malice against anyone. 
Their first purpose was hilarity and fun, and after that a desire to annoy 
the bride and groom sufficiently to bring from the groom a treat. It 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 305 

was not usually intended to insult or harass the couples, or to express any 
dislike for them, or to indicate disapproval because of any incongruity in 
the marriage, such as disparity in age, or because one or both of the 
contracting parties had formerly been married, or that the bride was a 
divorcee. The youngest and most normal couples were chivaried the 
same as others. 

The honeymoon was usually of the George Washington variety. It 
is historic that when Washington married Martha Custis they spent their 
honeymoon visiting relatives and friends who lived in a comparatively 
short distance from the Custis home in Virginia. The young people in 
the section of the country of which I write generally did something of 
that kind. They did not go on long journeys as is the fashion today. I 
presume there were several reasons why they did not do so. One was 
the matter of expense, and another the want of any comfortable or rapid 
means of transportation, practically the only method of traveling at that 
lime being on horseback or in wagons. 

The Nimrod of that day did not often return empty handed from his 
hunting excursions. There were still remaining some deer and occasional 
wild geese. V/iki Turkeys, quails, ducks, prairie chickens, wood pheasants 
and pigeons were plentiful. Quails, ducks, prairie chickens and pigeons 
especially abounded. The passenger or wild pigeon visited the country 
in immense flocks almost countless in numbers. If thay alighted to roost 
in a grove of small timber, so great was their number that many limbs 
would be broken by their weight. Hunters, visiting their roosting places 
by night with a torch, could kill thousands of them in a short time. It is 
said they could frequently be killed with clubs when they roosted low. 
This bird is now extinct. Quails were trapped in large numbers ; they also 
afforded the hunter with dog and gun great sport. Wood pheasants were 
often found by the peculiar drumming sound they were want to make, and 
when driven to tree by a dog they would sit quietly to be shot by the 
hunter. The veriest pot-hunter could take an indifferent gun and a meal 
sack, go out into the fields in the morning of a fall or winter day, and in 
a few hours return with a sack full of prairie chickens. Usually only the 
breasts of these birds were used for food. There were also numerous 
rabbits which were hunted and killed, and sometimes eaten, but the killing 
of them was more for the sport than the food. Squirrels were quite numer- 
ous, both gray and fox, and were considered quite a delicacy. The flesh 
of the quail was more highly prized than that of any other game bird. 
(15) 



306 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Quail on toast was relished alike in the log cabin of the pioneer, and in 
the Delmonico Restaurant of New York City. 

Neither the cost of living, nor the cost of dying was high in Cainsville 
sixty-three years ago. The following is a market list of prices published 
by the Bethany Star in its issue of December 27, 1860, which shows the 
extremely low prices of some of the common articles of food as compared 
with prices in Colorado Springs October 1, 1921. The difference is stiik- 
ingly shown in the parrellel columns below: 

1860 1921 

Flour, per barrel ,_._$8.00 $ 8.00 

Meal, per bushel .50 1.25 

Coffee, per pound .20 .50 

Bacon sides, per pound .10 .45 

Bacon hams, per pound .10 .35 

Shoulder, per pound .08 .20 

Butter, per pound -121/2 -50 

Eggs, per dozen .10 .50 

Chickens, per dozen 1.00 13.00 

Sugar, per pound .I2V2 -07 

Tea, per pound 100 1.2.^ 

Beef cattle, per cwt. 3.00 6.50 

Pork, per cwt. 1.00 6.75 

It was not difficult for a family of two persons to live well on $400 
per annum, this including the cost of clothing and house rent as well as 
food. The cost of amusements, upon which so much is spent by the people 
now, was practically nothing ; a circus once a year, costing the family two 
or three dollars if they attended, was about the limit. There were no 
theaters or "movies" to call for money; there would occasionally be a 
magic-lantern show, the grandfather of the "movies"; a sleight-of-hand 
performance, or a lecture on phrenology for which a small admission was 
usually charged. The automobile and its up-keep was not then a feature 
of expense. 

With the exception of chills and fever the people were as a rule quite 
healthy. They lived an active out-door life, giving them plenty of exercise, 
and their food was of the very simplest. The local doctors charged $1.00 
a visit. There were no $35.-pei--week nurses ; the sick were nursed by mem- 
bers of their own family, with a little aid from the neighbors. There were 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 307 

110 high-priced surgeons and no money-grabbing hospitals. The most prom- 
inent citizen in the community, upon his death, was given a funeral cost- 
ing the family from $15 to $25. Two men were sometimes employed to dig 
the grave at a cost of $5.00 ; the coffin would be made by the village car- 
penter or cabinet maker for $10 or $15; a common farm wagon was the 
hearse, and friends and neighbors were the undertakers. 

The people at that time were handicapped to a considerable extent 
by financial conditions in the country. There had been a serious panic in 
1857, and the country had not yet recovered from its effects. The panic 
was believed to have been the result of a bad currency system, wild specu- 
lation in land and over-construction of railroads. The banking affairs of 
the country were in a chaotic condition. Each state created its own bank- 
ing system, and in some of them the laws were imperfect or not per- 
fectly enforced. Banks of issue had been organized all over the country 
under the state laws, and were issuing bills without having the necessary, 
or, in fact, very often any gold reserve behind their notes. On this ac- 
count banks were continually suspending specie payment all over the 
United States, and this was usually equivalent to failure ; at least it made 
their bills almost valueless. It was the day of "wildcat" money. The 
money received this name for the reason that among the first banks that 
failed were some that had printed on their bills a picture of a wildcat. 
This bad currency caused great inconvenience in business. Bank bills 
that were good in the neighborhood of the issuing bank declined in value 
as they were carried father away. With such money in circulation the citi- 
zens never knew when they sold property for paper money whether they 
had real money, or only worthless promises to pay money. There was a 
periodical called "The Detector" which claimed to give the value of all the 
paper money in circulation and the standing of all the banks of issue then 
doing business in the United States. This periodical was published month- 
ly, and upon receipt of money the first thing the recipient did was to 
consult The Detector to ascertain the value of what he had received. This 
system of banking continued until the passage of the National Bank Act 
in 1864. There were some banks that at all times redeemed their bills in 
coin. One of them, as I remember, was the State Bank of Ohio. 

As before stated there had been great speculation in land and town 
lots in 1857 ; prices rose rapidly, but the lands were usually heavily mort- 
gaged. There was a crisis in the fall of 1857, and the speculative house 
of cards fell. Many banks failed, merchants were ruined, railroads went 



308 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

into bankruptcy and the financial disaster seemed complete. This condition 
led to some noticeable results. Banks were not being organized in new ter- 
ritory, and were therefore very infrequent in Northern Missouri ; the near- 
est bank to Cainsville being at St. Joseph, Missouri. For want of safe 
banks, checks and bills of exchange could not be used. People coming to 
Missouri from some point in a distant state could not carry exchange, 
letters of credit or traveler's checks, as they do today, because there would 
frequently be no bank near the point to which they were coming to cash 
them. So the people who found it necessary to carry money for a consid- 
erable distance would often convert their property into gold, put the gold 
in a buckskin belt made for that purpose, which was then buckled around 
their bodies beneath their clothing; thus they became their own express. 
The want of a stable and abundant currency also led to much barter. It 
was a practice of some of the merchants to gather large quantities of 
beeswax, tallow, dry hides, the pelts of fur-bearing animals, such as the 
mink, racoon and skunk, and send the accumulation to St. Joseph by wagon 
and there exchange it for goods of whatever character they needed. There 
was also much barter among the farmers because of the scarcity of money. 

I write almost wholly from memory, and may, therefore, be excused 
if I make some mistakes regarding people and events of over half a cen- 
tury ago. A Pepys would have kept a dairy, but I neglected to do so. 

The adult population of Cainsville and vicinity in 1858 are nearly all 
dead, but they live again in their descendants, who abound. Even the boys 
and girls from ten to fifteen years of age, who were my school mates, 
are almost all gone. Among the first acquaintances I made after reaching 
Cainsville were Lilbum H. and Millard F. Oxford, familiarly known by their 
nicknames of "Bud" and "Polk" Oxford ; James M. Moss, Jr., a son of Dick 
Moss, and John Robinett. Later I became acquainted with John M. Rogers 
and T. G. Rogers, Chesley B. Woodward, Alex Cain, Ralph 0. Woodward 
and others. Only two of these mentioned are now living, Millard F. Oxford 
and Ralph 0. Woodward. As far as I know, Millard F. Oxford, who has 
long been a prominent citizen of Cainsville, is now (October, 1921) the 
only person living in the town who was there when I came. Ralph 0. 
Woodward lived on a farm adjoining the town. He is now an old and 
honored citizen of that section of the country, a man of excellent parts, 
who has stood all the tests imposed upon him by the vicissitudes of life. 

In January, 1873, I left Cainsville, going to Bethany, and never re- 
turned except as a visitor. After living in Bethany twenty-six years, I 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 309 

heeded the call of the West and removed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, 
where I have since lived. 

The men of Cainsville and the country adjacent, at the time under con- 
sideration, while not by any means perfect, having as they did many of 
the foibles, vices and defects incident of frontier life and a pioneer people, 
yet they were in spite of all drawbacks quite well fitted by reason of their 
determination, endurance and adaptibility to be, and were, efficient units 
in a population intent upon developing and maintaining a great common- 
wealth like Missouri. For this they deserve much credit. In the affairs 
of everyday life they labored under many difficulties and were compelled 
to go forward as best they could without the help of needed business and 
social conveniences, such as money, credit, banking facilities, means of 
easy communication and rapid transportation. There was little money, 
even less credit, no bank near enough to be of any use, and the mails were 
carried weekly on horseback. There were no automobiles, no telephones, 
and no railroad or telegraph nearer than Chillicothe, a distance of forty 
miles, to which point all goods consigned to Cainsville were shipped. The 
most abundant thing in the country was land. The business of the people 
primarily, and almost exclusively, was farming and stock raising, yet 
they were destitute of effective means for carrying on that business, such 
means as almost every farmer has at his disposal today. Considering 
their surroundings, their success in accomplishing as much as they did is 
commendable, even remarkable. With a slight modification of language 
we may say of these Knights of the Plow, as the poet has said of the 
ancient Knights of the Sword : 

"Their bones are dust. 
Their plowshares rust, 
Their souls are with the Saints we trust." 




A PIONEER HOME. 



CHAPTER XXXV 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



Edgar S. Miner, president of the Miner and Frees Lumber Coni- 
jja'~y and one of the organizers of this company which for over forty years 
has been one of the most important industrial institutions of Harrison 
County. The Miner and Frees Lumber Company handle coal, lumber, 
cement, brick, tiles and all kinds of building material. 

The Miner and Frees Company does an extensive business in two 
states; they have yards at Ridgeway., Missouri; Briimson, Missouni; 
Coffey, Missouri ; Spickard, Missouri ; Oilman City, Missouri ; Mound City, 
Missouri ; Oregon, Missouri ; Bethany, Missouri ; Blythedale, Missouri ; 
King City, Missouri; New Hampton, Missouri; Ford City, Missouri; and 
Leon, Iowa, the company operates fourteen yards in all and the capital 
and surplus of this company is $600,000. The following are the pres- 
ent officers of the company, E. S. Miner of Bethany, Missouri, president; 
Elbert S. Miner, vice-president and treasurer; Lawrence Miner Crossan, 
secretary and R. M. Stanley, auditor. This company is also extensively 
interested in the banking business, including the First National Bank 
of Ridgeway, the Bank of Mount Mariah and the Bank of Coffey, Mis- 
souri. 

Edgar S. Miner was born in Madison, Wisconsin, June 19, 1846, a 
son of Rev. S. E. and Mariah Catharine (Kelley) Miner, the former a 
native of Vermont and the latter of New York. S. E. Miner, was a 
Congregational minister in early life and was the first minister of that 
denomination at Madison, Wisconsin. The old church which he built, 
where he preached there is still standing, and also the house where E. S. 
Miner was born, one block from the State Capitol. Later in life he 
engaged in the lumber business at Monroe, Juda and Broadhead, Wiscon- 
sin. He did an extensive business and was prominent throughout the 
state and was intiminately associated with the leading men of his time. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 311 

During the Civil War, although he was past the military age he took 
an active part in behalf of the cause of the Union and contributed his 
best efforts in that direction. He was chief sanitary officer and had 
supervision and the care of all the Wisconsin Troops that were sick or 
wounded during the Atlanta campaign and furloughed all soldiers 
home who were unfit for duty. He died at Oilman City, Missouri, while 
visiting his daughter, Mrs. George Richardson, and his remains were 
buried at Monroe, Wisconsin. The Miners belong to an old Colonial 
family which was founded at Stonington, Connecticut at an early day, 
and several members served in the Revolutionary War. 

Edgar S. Miner was educated in the public schools and during the 
Civil War while he was still a mere boy, he ran away from home and 
enlisted in Company G, First Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 
2nd Division, Army of the Cumberland. He enlisted in November 1862, 
when he was a little past sixteen. During the course of his military 
career he took part in a number of important engagements and skirmishes 
although he was fortunately never wounded or taken prisoner. He was 
under General Sherman on the Atlanta campaign. He had one brother, 
Charles E. Miner, who was also a soldier in the Union Array and was 
serving under General Custer as sergeant when he was killed at the 
battle of Gettysburg. After the close of the war, Edgar S. Miner, v/as 
honorably discharged and mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. 

After he was discharged from the army, Mr. Miner returned to his 
home at Monroe and became foreman in his father's Lumber yard. He 
remained in that capacity until 1880 when he in partnership with Captain 
Benjamin Frees, established the Miner and Frees Lumber business 
at Bethany, Missouri. At that time there was no railroad in Harrison 
County and their first lumber was hauled from Lamoni, Iowa by wagons 
to Bethany, Missouri. This was the beginning of the Miner and Frees 
lumber business, which in forty years has reached its present magnitude 
and has become one of the important business concerns, not only of 
Harrison County but of the state of Missouri. 

E. S. Miner was married in 1868, to Miss Ermina, Gardner, a native 
of Monroe, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Hon. E. T. Gardner who 
was prominent in the affairs of that state and served as a member of 
the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature and later was state senator. He 
was a prominent attorney and practiced for many years at Monroe, 
Wisconsin. Mrs. Miner had a brother, Capt. Silas E. Gardner, who 



312 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

served as chief of scouts under General William T. Shei'man, during the 
Civil War. He is now deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Miner have been bora the following children: Daisy, 
married E. M. Crossan, who is now deceased and she resides with her 
parelnts at Bethany, and has one son, Lawrence M. Crossan, who served 
as lieutenant in the World War, and is now engaged in the automobile 
business at Bethany, and Shirley, who is now the wife of G. C. Zingerle, 
of Bethany. 

Mr. Miner is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. He has always supported the policies and prin- 
ciples of the Republican party and takes a keen interest in political mat- 
ters and for many years he has been an active temperance worker. Mr. 
Miner is progressive and public spirited and has always stood ready to 
do his part for the betterment and upbuilding of his town and county. 



Walton E. Todd, state bank examiner, was for years prior to his ap- 
pointment to this important position, one of Harrison County's widely 
known and successful bankers. Mr. Todd is a native of Harrison County, 
born near Hatfield, Missouri, July 17, 1888. He is a son of Richard D. and 
Jala (Underwood) Todd. Richard Todd is a native of Kentucky and came 
to this state in his boyhood days and for many years was engaged in farm- 
ing and the mercantile business in Harrison County. He is now living 
retired at Hatfield. His wife died in 1889 when Walton E. Todd of this 
review was about one year old. 

Walton E. Todd received his early education in the public schools of 
Mercer County, Missouri. Later he attended Elliott's Business College at 
Burlington, Iowa, and was graduated from that institution in 1908. Earlier 
he served as a clerk in a mercantile house in Mercer County, and after 
graduating he engaged in the mercantile business with his father at Hat- 
field, Missouri. Some years later they disposed of the business and he ac- 
cepted the position of cashier of the Bank of Hatfield, which position he 
filled most successfully. He left Hatfield to become cashier of the Citizens 
Bank of Blythedale, in 1919. While at Blythedale, Mr. Todd became in- 
terested in the project of establishing the Bethany Trust Company and 
assisted in organizing that company in 1919. This company began busi- 
ness January 1, 1920, with Mr. Todd holding the position of assistant 
treasurer. Later he succeeded L E. Nelson as treasurer of the institution 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 313 

and was capably filling that position when he was appointed state bank 
pxaminer May 1, 1921. 

Walton E. Todd was married March 26, 1910, to Miss Grace A. Brazzell 
of Hatfield, Missouri. She is a daughter of John P. and Alice (Dixon) 
Brazzell of Hatfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Todd has been born one son, LeRoy, 
born March 3, 1911. 

Mr. Todd is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and 
he and Mrs. Todd are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Todd has 
been a close student in the practical field of banking and is well posted in 
the details of the many phases of this important business and is eminently 
qualified to fill the responsible position which he holds. 



Ernest Harvey, secretary of the Bethany Trust Com.pahy, is one of the 
enterprising young men of Bethany. He was born in Decatur County. 
Kansas, August 31, 1886, the son of B. B. and Ruth (Baker) Harvey. Mrs. 
Harvey was born near Marietta, Ohio, and died in Meadville, Missouri, 
where she is buried, December 7, 1918. B. B. Harvey was bom in West 
Virginia. He and his wife settled near Meadville in Linn County, Missouri, 
shortly after the close of the Civil War. Later they moved to Kansas, 
where they lived for twelve years when they returned to Linn County. 
They came back to Missouri in 1890 and lived in Meadville until the death 
of Mrs. Harvey. 

Ernest Harvey received his education in the grade and high schools of 
Meadville. He was identified with one of the local papers, the Meadville 
Messenger, for a while, and then accepted a position in a dry goods store 
for a few years. On June 1, 1913, he went into the Peoples Bank in Mead- 
ville as the assistant cashier, and in September, 1918, he accepted a posi- 
tion with the Chillicothe Trust Company, remaining with them until Jan- 
uary 1, 1920. On that date he began his work with the Bethany Trust 
Company as secretary. This place he has filled successfully ever since. 
His work in the various banks with which he has been connected has ably 
fitted him for his present position. His thorough conversance with modern 
and progressive business methods has given him the esteem of his fellow 
citizens. 

Ernest Harvey was mai-ried to Bessie Darling of Meadville, June 12, 
1910. Mrs. Harvey is a daughter of James and Jane (McKain) Darling. 



314 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

James Darling died at Meadville, April 20, 1918 ; his wife lives at Meadville. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have one daughter, Hope Elaine. 

Mr. Harvey is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and of the 
Modern Woodman of America. He is identified with the progress of Beth- 
any and is a highly respected citizen. 

The Bethany Trust Company, one of the well-known banking institu- 
tions of Bethany, was organized and started business January 1, 1920. 
The capital stock was $100,000.00 and the first officers were: Joseph S. 
Neff, President; Henry N. Burgin, Vice-President; I. E. Nelson, Treasurer; 
Walter E. Todd, Assistant Treasurer; Ernest Harvey, Secretary; Joseph 
S. Neff, J. E. Noll, S. L. Gibson, Henry N. Burgin, W. C. Cole, I. E. Nelson 
and W. T. Templeman, Directors. 

The capital of the bank remains the same as when it was opened ; 
the bank has a surplus of $11,000; loans of $283,780.53; bonds and stocks, 
$52,258.90 ; cash and sight exchange, $38,545.11 ; furnishings and fixtures, 
$15,925.95; title plant, $25,000; undivided profits, $4,966.63, and deposits. 
$236,771.75. 

The bank is conducted entirely with local capital and its hearty sup- 
port by the community is sho\\Ti by the fact that the deposits on the 
opening day were $128,000. The directorate of the bank is made up of local 
men, all well known to the community and all loyal to the ideals and stand- 
ards with which the institution has worked since its foundation. 



L. M. Davis, assistant treasurer of the Bethany Trust Company, be- 
longs to a family that is well known in Harrison County where several 
members of it are living. Mr. Davis was born in Smith County, Virginia, 
November 25, 1877, the son of J. K. and Emma A. (Harvey) Davis, who 
came to Harrison County in 1881, and located on a farm six miles west of 
Bethany. Here L. M. Davis grew to manhood. His father was a veteran 
of the Civil War, serving in the Confederate Army. Both J. K. Davis and 
his wife died on their farm in Harrison County and are buried in Marion 
Cemetery in Bethany. 

Martin Davis and his wife, grandparents of L. M. Davis, lived in Smith 
County, Virginia, and were the parents of nineteen children, seventeen boys 
and two girls. J. K. and Emma A. (Harvey) Davis were the parents of 
eleven children, as follows: H. M., of Casper, Wyoming; Eda W., now Mrs. 
Robert Cuddy of Kansas City, Missouri ; Innie M., now Mrs. Earl Hamilton 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 315 

of Bethany ; Lewis M., the subject of this sketch ; R. H., of Bethany ; Jimmie 
C, now Mrs. M. E. McCoy of Monte Vista, Colorado; C. E., of Bethany; 
Martha, now hving in Bethany ; F. P., of Bethany ; Porter K., of Bethany, 
and Paul J., of Bethany. 

L. M. Davis was educated in the public schools in Harrison County and 
the Methodist College at Albany, Missouri. He worked for various mer- 
cantile firms in Bethany for several years. For ten years he ran a grocery 
business in Bethany with the fii-m name, Chambers and Davis. He sold 
his business in order to accept his present position with the Bethany 
Trust Company in November, 1920. 

Mr. Davis was married to Bessie Tolliver of Bethany, April 30, 1905. 
Mrs. Davis is the daughter of John H. and Susie Tolliver, the latter de- 
ceased, and the former now living at Bethany where he is with the Bethany 
Mill and Elevator Company. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have two daughters, 
Virginia and Marguerite. 

Mr. Davis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is known and esteemed in the town and 
county for his business acumen and for his high standard of citizensnip. 



George W. Bolar, the reliable and well-known circuit clerk and ex- 
ofRcio recorder of Harrison County, is a native of Bethany Township where 
he was born on a farm two and one-half miles southeast of the city Decem- 
ber 18, 1875. He is the son of John H. and Marie (Hilton) Bolar, both de- 
ceased. 

John H. Bolar and Maria Hilton were married in Anderson County, 
Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1862. They settled first in Sherman 
Township but a short time afterwards they moved to Bethany Township 
where they purchased a farm of eighty acres. This land was covered with 
timber at that time and Mr. Bolar built a cabin in which he and his wife 
lived for several years and in which the first four of their children were 
born. Mr. Bolar had learned the stone mason's trade and he followed this 
trade in connection with his farming. He died February 6, 1906, at the 
age of seventy-three and his wife died November 21, 1920, at the age of 
seventy-eight. 

To John H. and Maria (Hilton) Bolar was born the following children: 
John W., who died at the age of thirty ; twin daughters, who died in infancy ; 
an infant daughter, deceased; Benjamin A., a farmer in Serman Town- 



316 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ship; Ida B., living in Bethany, Missouri; James W., living in Bethany, 
Missouri; Willard M., deputy circuit clerk and recorder living in Bethany, 
Missouri ; George W., the subject of this review ; Eva M., the wife of O. W. 
Bartlett in Bethany, Missouri; Myrtle, who died at the age of eight; and 
Mattie, who died at the age of three. 

George W. Bolar was educated in the rural schools of Harrison County 
and in the Bethany High School. He taught his first school in the Hickory 
District in 1894 and twenty years later he taught his last school in the 
same place. During the years from 1909 to 1913, Mr. Bolar served as 
township clerk and assessor of Bethany Township. In 1914 he was elected 
circuit clerk of Harrison County and was re-elected to that position in 1917. 

George W. Bolar was married to Mary Scott August 13, 1913. Mrs. 
Bolar is the daughter of Thomas Scott, a native of Scotland, who lives 
near Martinsville, Missouri. Mrs. Bolar was born and reared in Harrison 
County and for the twelve years prior to her marriage she taught in the 
public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Bolar have one child, Martha Janet. Mr. 
Bolar moved to Bethany January 1, 1915, and located at 446 Twenty-Eighth 
and Miller streets where he has a nice home and three acres of land. 

Mr. Bolar is a member of the Church of Christ at Antioch, and Mrs. 
Bolar is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Bolars are a substan- 
tial family in the county. Mr. Bolar's popularity is attested to by the fact 
that he is now serving his second term in the office to which the people of 

HaiTison County elected him. 



Willard M. Bolar, the efficient deputy circuit clerk and recorder of 
deeds for Harrison County, belongs to a family whose name appears fre- 
quently in the annals of Harrison County. He was born at the Bolar home 
place in Bethany Township, May 29, 1873, the son of John H. and Maria 
(Hilton) Bolar, both deceased. A review of the life of John and Maria 
(Hilton) Bolar appears in the sketch of George W. Bolar, a brother of 
the subject of the present sketch. 

Willard M. Bolar received his education in the rural schools of Harri- 
son County and in the Bethany High School. For fourteen years he was a 
successful teacher in the county. He taught his first school in Jack Oak 
District, and his last eight years in the Cypress School. For the three years 
just before he accepted his present position, Mr. Bolar combined the voca- 
tion of farming with his work as a teacher. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 317 

Mr. Bolar was married August 16, 1906, to Ida M. Nighthart, a daugh- 
ter of Philip and Elizabeth (Smith) Nighthart. Philip Nighthart was a 
native of Germany. He came to New York in the early thirties and in 1848 
he left New York to follow the lure of the gold fields in the west. He sailed 
down around Cape Horn and up the Pacific to California where he remained 
almost three years, making a fortune in the "gold rush." A little later he 
lost a part of his money in a bank failure. He returned to New York, later 
went to Ohio, and finally, in the late fifties, he came west to Missouri and 
settled in Sherman Township, Harrison County. Here he farmed until 
his death in 1912. He is buried in Antioch Cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth 
(Smith) Nighthart, who survives him, lives on the home place in Sherman 
Township. 

To Willard M. and Ida (Nighthart) Bolar three children have been 
born, as follows: Dorothy, Avery and Evalee. Mr. Bolar and his family 
have a home and five acres of land adjoining the city limits of Bethany. 

Mr. Bolar is a member of the Church of Christ at Antioch. For six 
years he was one of the directors of the Pine Oak School District and be- 
cause of his efficiency in office and his interest in public aff'airs, he is ranked 
among the substantial citizens of the county. 



William Roleke, a popular ex-mayor of Bethany, was born in Germany, 
January 15, 1864, He learned and plied the trade of a tailor in his youth in 
his native country. In 1886 he came to the United States and settled In 
Bethany, Missouri. Here he worked at his trade for his cousin, Herman 
Roleke. Two years later he formed a partnership with this cousin and this 
business relationship continued for fifteen years. Since its termination 
William Roleke has conducted the business alone. He handles all kinds of 
repair work, besides doing tailoring. He has conducted his business so 
efficiently that his trade has extended to outside towns and he has calls 
from St. Joseph and Kansas City. 

Mr. Roleke has been married twice. His first wife was Anna Schulze 
of Berlin, Germany, whom he married in 1888. Mrs. Roleke died in 1915 
and is buried in the Pythian Cemetery in Bethany. To William and Anna 
(Schulze) Roleke the following children were born : Helen, deceased ; Karl, 
a plumber at Bethany; and Katherine, a nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in 
Chicago, Illinois. On July 24, 1918, Mr. Roleke was married to Edith 
Morgan, who, for the twenty-five years previous to her marriage, had been 



318 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a successful teacher in Harrison County. Mrs. Edith (Morgan) Roleke 
died in a St. Joseph hospital October 8, 1920. 

Mr. Roleke was elected mayor of Bethany in 1908 and was re-elected 
in the years 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916 and 1918 thus serving for twelve con- 
secutive years. The success of his work as mayor is amply shown by his 
many calls to fill the same office. It was during his administration that 
Bethany established a municipal water works with an exceptionally good 
filtering system. The city also built a light plant which has always given 
the citizens excellent service. Another municipal improvement was the 
paving of the court house square with brick and about eight miles of con- 
crete and brick street paving. 

Mr. Roleke is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has passed all the chairs of the 
former. Mr. Roleke helped to organize the First National Bank of Bethany 
and is one of the directors in it. By his ability, his industry and because 
of his interest in municipal affairs, Mr. Roleke has made himself one 
of the substantial citizens of Bethany. 



Loyd N. Brown, proprietor of the Bethany Hardware Company, is 
one of the well-known and enterprising young business men of Bethany, 
Missouri. He is a business man, an ex-officer of Harrison County, and a 
veteran of the World War. He was born at Clearmont in Nodaway County, 
September 29, 1886, the son of Walter T. and Mary (McGinty) Brown. 
Mrs. Brown died in 1893 and is buried in Clearmont. Walter T. Brown 
was born in Illinois, and has been a farmer and a Baptist preacher in both 
Missouri and Nebraska. He lived near Pawnee for five years, and is now a 
resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. Reverend and Mrs. Brown had four child- 
ren, three of whom grew to maturity: Loyd N., the subject of this sketch; 
George, now living in South Dakota, and Anna, now Mrs. Fife of Kearney, 
Nebraska. Walter, another son, died in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 
twenty-six. 

Loyd N. Brown graduated from the Bethany High School in the class 
of 1906. After his graduation, he worked for J. C. Ruby for more than 
two years, and then was made deputy county clerk under W. F. Towns. 
He held this position for over seven years. In the fall of 1914 he was 
elected county clerk of Harrison County and served until May 27, 1918, 
when he entered the United States Army for service in the World War. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 319 

He was sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa, as a private and ten days later was sent 
to the Fourth Officers' Training Camp at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was 
commissioned a second lieutenant August 26, 1918. He was assigned to 
Company Three, One Hundred and Sixty-Third Depot Brigade and on De- 
cember 7, 1918, was sent on special duty as personnel officer of camp util- 
ities. He remained in this phase of service until his discharge October 
28, 1919. He then returned to Bethany and accepted the position of man- 
ager of the S. A. Evans Implement Store. In October, 1920, he bought his 
present stock, known as the Bethany Hardware Company. He has been 
operating this business very successfully and carries a complete line of 
hardware and harness. 

Mr. Brown was married to Edna E. Evans, a daughter of S. A. Evans 
of Bethany, on September 1, 1918. Mrs. Evans was Etta Anderson. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown have one son, Loyd N., Jr., born August 14, 1919. 

Mr. Brown is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
has served as treasurer of the Republican County Central Committee for 
eight years. He was appointed by Judge Wanamaker to act as receiver 
for the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company in 1908 and the effi- 
cient way in which he handled this business brought him prominently 
before the public, and was the direct factor in causing the county to call 
him to act as county clerk. Mr. Brown is another young man of whom 
Harrison County is justly proud. As a private citizen and as an official, his 
record is one of progress and high standards. 



George William Spencer, agent for the American Railway Express 
Company and proprietor of the Bethany Produce Company, was born in 
Bethany Township, October 24, 1863. His parents were John and Rachel 
(Alley) Spencer. His mother was born in Indiana and came to Harrison 
County when she was only a girl. She married John Spencer shortly after- 
ward, and now lives in Ridgeway with her daughter, Mrs. Mattie Miner. 
John Spencer was born in Ohio, and was a farmer and stockman in Bethany 
Township after he came to Harrison County. He died at the age of thirty- 
five and is buried in Marion Cemetery. To John and Rachel (Alley) Spencer 
the following children were born : Sarah, now Mrs. Young of Trenton ; 
Mattie, now Mrs. Miner of Ridgeway; Kate, deceased at the age of eigh- 
teen ; Susie, now Mrs. Tull of Craig ; Hattie, deceased at the age of twenty- 



320 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

three; G. W., the subject of this review; Charles, deceased in infancy ; and 
John, deceased at the age of six years. 

George Wilhani Spencer has Hved close to and in Bethany all of his 
life and has been identified with the progress of the town for many years. 
He received his education in the Bethany Public School, and at the age of 
twenty-two took a position with the Adams Express Company on the 
Burlington Railway. He was the assistant agent for the American and 
Adams Express Company under T. A. Dunn. In 1898, T. A. Dunn was suc- 
ceeded by F. M. Young and Mr. Spencer was appointed agent for the com- 
pany, a position which he has held ever since. For the past ten years, he 
has been in the produce business also ; he buys and sells all kinds of country 
products. In both lines of work he has been successful. 

Mr. Spencer was married in 1886 to Anna M. Thomas, of Corydon, 
Iowa. Mrs. Spencer is a daughter of William and Catherine Thomas, both 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have one son, Joseph L., aged eleven 
years. 

Mr. Spencer has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows for tv/enty-five years, and has held all the offices in the lodge here. 
He is a man well know in Bethany for his integrity and interest in civic 
progress. 



James C. Wilson, a progressive citizen of Bethany, and one of the 
able and successful lawyers of this section of the state, was born near 
Columbus, Ohio, November 22, 1855, the son of Samuel D. and Mary 
(Boyd) Wilson, both natives of Ohio. Samuel D. Wilson was born in 
Franklin County and died in 1887 while on a trip to New Mexico. His 
wife was born in Delaware County and died in Bethany in 1902, where 
she had resided since the death of her husband. Samuel Wilson was a 
farmer in early life and later a stock buyer and shipper. He was a 
veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted from Franklin County, Ohio, 
and sei'ved two years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Wilson were the parents of the following 
children: James C, the subject of this sketch; Josephine, the widow of 
Richard Carroll, of Chicago, Illinois; Ada, the wife of George Joiner, a 
business man of Columbus, Ohio; John and Luther, twins, who were 
farmers and died in Bethany; William H., who is engaged in real estate 
and loan business in Des Moines, Iowa; Jennie, formerly a stenographer 
for her brother, James C. Wilson, now the wife of George Jones, a tele- 




J. C. WILSON 




MRS. ROBERTA (WILSON) GINTHER 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 321 

phone company manager of Chicago ; Frank L., formerly a wholesale mer- 
chant of Columbus, Ohio, who now resides in .Los Angeles, California ; 
and Kittie, the widow of J. A. Morris of Lebanon, Missouri. 

James C. Wilson was educated in the public schools and at Otterbe in 
University at Westerville, Ohio, and read law at Maryville, Missouri under 
Col. Lafe Dawson, the first United States judge of the district of Alaska, 
who was appointed by President Grover Cleveland. Mr. Wilson was ad- 
mitted to the bar April 29, 1880 at Grant City, Missouri and began 
practicing his profession May 4, 1880, at Bethany, Missouri. He taught 
school the winter of 1880 at Martinsville, Missouri, and since then has 
practiced law continuously here, and met with success. Mr. Wilson has 
an extensive practice in Bethany and also ranks high as a criminal lawyer 
over the state and adjoining counties in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. He 
was elected prosecuting attorney of Harrison County in 1882, the first 
Democratic prosecuting attorney of this county, and his son. Garland 
Wilson, was elected to this same office thirty years later. Maj. Randall 
Wilson, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, is now a partner of his 
father. 

James C. Wilson was married September 28, 1883, to Miss Alice E. 
Turner, a native of Bethany, MissH)uri, and daughter of Robert and 
Rebecca J. (Higgins) Turner. Robert Turner died in September, 1881, 
and his wife is living in Bethany at the age of seventy-six years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of the following children: Gar- 
land, an attorney of Bethany, a sketch of whom appears in this book; 
Dockery, a veteran of the World War, having served as a lieutenant, and 
who is now an attorney of Bethany; Major Randall; Capt. Carlisle R.,. 
"Chuck", who was mortally wounded October 27, 1918, the second day 
of the Argonne drive and died November 7, 1918, and who is buried in 
France; and Roberta, the wife of Paul Ginther, a merchant at Moberly, 
Missouri, the last named two being twins. The Wilson-Axline Post of 
the American Legion at Bethany was named after Capt. Carlisle R. Wil- 
son and Lieut. A. A. Axline, both of whom were killed in the same battle. 

Mr. Wilson, besides being a successful lawyer, is a progressive citizen 
and good booster for his city, county and state. He is a Democrat in 
politics. 



S. E. and C. D. Hamilton, proprietors of the Hamilton Hardware 
Company of Bethany, belong both by their maternal and paternal ancestry 
to old pioneer families of Harrison County. Their parents were J. P. HamJl- 
(16) 



322 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ton and Colista E. (Allen) Hamilton, both early settlers in the state. Col- 
ista E. (Allen) Hamilton was bom in Tennessee, February 26, 1841, the 
daughter of Dr. Stephen Allen, who came to Harrison County and home- 
steaded land five miles north of the present site of Bethany, and five years 
later moved to Bethany where he was a pioneer druggist. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature from 1847 to 1862. Mr. Allen took a firm 
stand in the turbulent days of the Civil War. He had much to do with 
keeping Missouri from joining the ranks of the Confederacy and in keeping 
it from seceeding from the Union. He died in Bethany and his remains are 
buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetei-y at Bethany where the I'emains of his 
■wife also are buried. Their children were: (1) Tennessee, now Mrs. Hill- 
man of Albany; (2) Colista, now Mrs. Hamilton; (3) Mrs. Louisa Newman, 
deceased; (4) Mrs. D. T. Johnson of Turlock, Colorado; (5) Isaac, living in 
Bethany; (6) Carrie, now Mrs. Godman of Iowa; (7) William J., a resident 
of Bethany; (8) Nordica, died at the age of fifteen; (9) Orvil, died at the 
age of twenty-five; (10) Serilla, died at the age of six, and (11) Emaline, 
died in infancy. ' -• '' 

' Mrs. Hamilton, who is now eighty years old, is very active and takes 
an interest in the happenings of the present as well as the history of the 
past. Her reminiscences of the days when the intrepid pioneers were build- 
ing up Harrison County are deeply entertaining. She came to Bethany 
Township with her parents when but an infant. The farm which her 
father took up was partly wild prairie land with the remainder heavily 
timbered with oak and hickory. There was no lack of food for game 
was plentiful and prairie chickens, wild turkeys, quail, wild hogs and deer 
were easily obtained. Her father built a cabin on his farm and here his 
family grew up. The nearest neighbor was two and one-half miles away 
on the south, and on the north the nearest house was a distance of sixteen 
miles away. Mrs. Hamilton went to school in an old log cabin in the 
Bethany District, acquiring her education amidst the hardships and diffi- 
culties of those trying times. Plattsburg was the nearest trading point 
and S. C. Allen made the trip as often as was necessary, allowing one day 
for the trip to the trading post and another for the return journey. The 
first mill that Mrs. Hamilton can recall is the old Harris Mill on Big Creek 
and at this mill the meal for the use of the Allen family was ground. The 
first church edifice to be erected was the brick church built by the Chris- 
tians. When the Allen family came to Harrison County in 1841 there were 
about 500 Cherokee Indians encamped on the creek north of the Allen home. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 323 

Shortly after that time the government removed the Indians to the Indian 
Tenitory. Mrs. Hamilton's life spans the many years that have inter- 
vened betvi'een wild, uncultivated land and the present highly organized civ- 
ilization; between the crude makeshifts of the past the the scientific 
methods of the present. The story of a life such as Mrs. Hamilton's is truly 
the history of the growth of Missouri. 

J. P. Hamilton, father of the present subjects, was born in Green 
County, Kentucky, in 1840, and came with his parents to Randolph County, 
Missouri, later to Daviess County, and in 1859 to Bethany. The father. Dr. 
Hamilton, died in Gallatin, Missouri. J. P. Hamilton was a pioneer hard- 
ware merchant in Bethany where he started business in 1859 and con- 
tinued to conduct the business for more than forty years. Mr. Hamilton 
was a prominent man in the county and state. He took an active interest 
in all civic affairs, serving as alderman of Bethany. He helped to organ- 
ize the Bethany Savings Bank of which he was a director and a vice-presi- 
dent. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge. J. P. Hamilton was one of the sturdy pioneers 
who wrought well in the early days of the county and whose enterprising 
character made him a citizen of worth. He died July 11, 1911 and his 
remains are buried in Bethany. 

To J. P. and Colista E. (Allen) Hamilton the following children were 
born : Lullie B., the wife of W. B. Rose of Kansas City, Missouri ; Lillie, died 
at the age of fourteen; S. E., a subject of this sketch; Lura, Mrs. Dixon, 
died at the age of twenty-six, and Carl D., a subject of this sketch. 

S. E. Hamilton was bom October 5, 1872, and was educated in the 
public school of Bethany and Kemper Military Academy at Boonville, Mis- 
souri, from which he graduated in 1893. He began business with his 
father, the founder of the Hamilton Hardware Company, in 1889 and con- 
tinued with him until the business was sold by J. P. Hamilton to the firm 
known as Phillips and Storm, who later reorganized it into the Bethany 
Hardware Company. S. E. Hamilton spent two years in the real estate 
business, then went into the hardware business again with Claude Cole 
and remained in it for seven years, at the end of which time he again 
entered the real estate business. On March 12, 1918, he, with his brother. 
C. D. Hamilton, opened the present business. The Hamilton Hardware 
Company now occupies the first and second floors of a building on Main 
Street. It has a basement and a frontage of 25x93 feet. The company 
carries a full line of hardware and does an excellent business. 



324 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

S. E. Hamilton was married in April, 1906, to Inme Davis, a daughter 
of Polk and Emma (Harvey) Davis, both deceased. Mrs. Hamilton was 
born in Roanoke, Virginia, and was educated in the Methodist College at 
Albany, Missouri. Her gi-andparents owned the land upon which Roanoke. 
Virginia, was built. 

C. D. Hamilton the other member of the Hamilton Hardv/are Com- 
pany was born at Bethany, October 8, 1878. He gi'aduated from Kemper 
Military Academy at Boonville, Missouri, in 1902, and has been in the 
hardware business ever since. He was with his father up to the time 
of the latter's death and has been with the present firm since its organiza- 
tion in 1918. Mr. Hamilton was married April 16, 1913, to Romaine 
Lewis, a daughter of Harry H. Lewis and wife of Lakeside, California. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hamilton have an adopted son, a nephew of Mrs. Hamilton, Craig 
Junior Lewis. 

S. E. Hamilton is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Modei-n Woodman of America. C. D. Hamilton is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled the office of marshal of 
Bethany. The Hamilton family is prominent in Harrison County and both 
S. E. and C. D. Hamilton are enterprising and progressive business men. 



J. H. Cuddy, a member of the firm of Cuddy & Dunn Department Store, 
is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Bethany. The 
Cuddy name has been known in the annals of Harrison County for many 
years. David and Mary (Dunn) Cuddy, the parents of the present subject, 
were natives of Washington County, Virginia, where J. H. was born on 
July 13, 1875. Mary (Dunn) Cuddy died sA Abington, Virginia, in 1904, at 
the age of seventy-two and David Cuddy died at the same place in 1912 at 
the age of eighty-three. The remains of both are buried in the Dunn fam- 
ily cemetery where M. S. McCulloch, great grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, settled about 1800. His home, built about 1805, was one of 
the landmarks of the county as it was the first house thereabouts to have 
glass window panes. 

J. H. Cuddy was educated at Abington. Virginia. He came to Bethany 
in 1896 and began to work in the store then known as the firm of Dunn 
Brothers & Company. This store is one of the pioneer mercantile houses of 
Harrison County. It was originally known as the McGeorge & Dunn store 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 325 

and was established in Bethany about 1868. Ever since that date the store 
under various finn names, has been a part of the development of Harrison 
County. The first firm was succeeded by the firm known as Dunn Brothers, 
and that firm was in turn succeeded in 1901 by Cuddy & Dunn. The present 
members of the firm are J. H. Cuddy, of this sketch ; H. W. Dunn, and W. T. 
Templeman. The present business, which consists of a complete stock of 
groceries, diy goods, clothing, shoes, gent's furnishings, and ladies' ready- 
to-wear goods, occupies two floors of the building on the southwest corner 
of the Square. 

Mr. Cuddy was married May 17, 1911, in Bethany, to Eva Claytor, a 
daughter of William and Alice Claytor. Mrs. Cuddy was born in Bethany 
and was educated in the Bethany Public School. Mr. and Mrs. Cuddy have 
three childi'en: Alice Jean, Mary Elizabeth and James Hyden. 

Mr. Cuddy is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Bethany. 
Mr. Cuddy is well known in the county where he has a reputation for good 
citizenship and progressive business ideas. 



H, W. Dunn, a member of the mercantile finn of Cuddy & Dunn De- 
partment Store, belongs to a family whose name has long been associated 
with mercantile interests in Bethany. The Dunn name has appeared in the 
firm title of the present store since the organization, in 1868, of the pioneer 
store of McGeorge & Dunn. Robert H. Dunn, father of the subject of this 
sketch, came to Harrison County in 1869, and settled in Bethany where 
he was a member of the mercantile firm of Dunn Brothers, the successors 
of McGeorge & Dunn. He is now retired and lives in Bethany after a 
mercantile career of nearly fifty years. 

H. W. Dunn was born at Bethany, September 27, 1883, the son of 
Robert H. and Clara B. (Blackburn) Dunn, both still living in Bethany. 
Mr. Dunn was educated in the public schools of Harrison County and has 
been in business here since his boyhood. He was reared in the midst of 
mercantile pursuits and worked for the firm in which he is now a partner, 
until 1918, when he became a firm member. His environment and training 
fitted him well for his present work in which he is making a marked suc- 
cess. 

Mr. Dunn was married to Faye Sutton, April 27, 1910. Mrs. Dunn 
is a daughter of Henry G. and Gertrude (Thomas) Sutton of Bethany. 
Mrs. Sutton died September 27, 1920, and her remains are buried in Beth- 



326 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

any. Mr. Sutton is a contractoi- in Bethany. Mrs. Dunn received her edu- 
cation in the schools of Bethany and later attended school in Kansas City, 
Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have one daughter, Maxine Roberta. 

Mr. Dunn is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of 
Bethany and of the Chapter and is a Knights Templar, Order of Royal and 
Select Masters, and the Shrine in St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Dunn is one of 
the group of alert business men who are helping build up standards of 
good citizenship and progressive business methods in Bethany. He de- 
servedly stands high in the estimation of his community. 



James B, Manifold, a well known ex-sheriff of Harrison County and 
now with the S. A. Evans Implement and Farm Machinery firm, was born 
in Wayne County, Indiana, July 26, 1866, the son of Moses and Mary E. 
(Walker) Manifold. 

Moses Manifold and his family settled in Iowa in 1868, later moving to 
Cherokee County, Kansas, where they remained for six years. They came 
to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1874, settling first at Bethany and then 
in Bethany Township. Mr. Manifold purchased a farm in Jefferson Town- 
ship which he later sold and moved to Bethany, where he died February 22, 
1913. He is buried in the Bethany Cemetery. His widow still lives in 
Bethany. 

Moses and Mary E. (Walker) Manifold had the following children: 
James B., the subject of this review; Irene, now Mrs. James E. Barry of 
Albany, Missouri; and Jennie, the widow of Clarence Caldwell, Bethany, 
Missouri. 

James B. Manifold received his early education in the Bethany Public 
Schools. Later he attended the Normal at Stanberry, Missouri, and the 
Normal at Chillicothe, Missouri. He was a teacher in Harrison County 
for seven years, teaching his first school west of Bethany and his last in 
the Star District. Mr. Manifold has filled most successfully several offices 
to which his township and county have elected him. He was the clerk and 
assessor of Jefferson Township. He was the deputy sheriff of the county 
for eight years and, in November, 1906, his county showed its appreciation 
of his sei-vices by electing him sheriff. He was relected in 1908, this 
time for a four-year term. At the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Mani- 
fold entered the mercantile business in Bethany and continued in this work 
until four years ago when he took up his present work with the S. A. 
Evans firm. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 327 

Mr. Manifold is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Bethany. He is energetic and 
affable and deserves the success with which he has met. 



Stanley M. Haas, a popular furniture dealer and undertaker of Beth- 
any, Missouri, was born in Worth County, Missouri, September 7, 1872, the 
son of Henry and Martha J. (Frost) Haas. 

Henry Haas is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, and his wife is a 
native of Sangamon County, Illinois. Mr. Haas was formerly a farmer but 
is now retired and lives in Bethany. To Henry and Martha J. (Frost) Haas 
the following children were born: Stanley M., the subject of this review; 
Stella E., now Mrs. Charles D. Neff of Fayette, Iowa, and W. H., a jeweler 
and optician of Bethany. 

Stanley M. Haas received his education in the Normal at Stanberry, 
Missouri ; Christian College at Albany, Missouri, and the State University 
at Columbia, Missouri. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school 
in the Ashland District in Harrison County, walking four and one-half 
miles back and forth to school and receiving $30 a month salary. He con- 
tinued teaching school for several years, first in Worth and Gentry count- 
ies and then in the Albany High School of which he was principal for 
several years. He was also the principal for one year of the Mound City 
High School. 

Mr. Haas engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Albany, 
Missouri, with H. W. Bare, using the firm name of H. W. Bare & Com- 
pany. Mr. Haas sold his interest in the company to Mr. Bare in 1908 and 
bought out the firm of Monson & Bonser in Bethany, Missouri. He has 
continued in this business to the present time. He is located on the west 
side of the Public Square. His building which was remodeled in 1920 is fifty 
by ninety feet and makes an excellent display room for his well-kept stock. 
Mr. Haas is a licensed embalmer and has all modern equipment for the 
conducting of funerals. 

Mr. Haas was married June 15, 1898, to Minnie H. Bryant of Harrison 
County, a daughter of Henry 0. and Lou (Chenoworth) Bryant, both de- 
ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Haas the follownig children have been born: 
Thornton H., a gi-aduate of the Bethany High school and now at work 
with his father; Martha Louise, at home; Stella Pauline, at home, and Mel- 
vin Bryant, at home. 



328 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

4- fv,^ A^iriPnt Free and Accepted Masons, Bethany 
Mr. Haas belongs ^^^^^^^^^ The independent Order ot Odd Fel- 

^'''''VlJitrcZmZ^i^l' Knights ot Pythias Lodge. He is an 
lows; 'bePatriarch M.m , ^^^^ ^^^^ j^_. ^ ^^^^^ „f 

elder ,n *« "^"f ^"^^'^.'^jfEj';^ ion »hich position he still holds. M, 
^^:^:J^^ "PH.» citi.en and .-ell merits the success wh.ch 

he has attained. , 

.xrn- H Rales a well know retired farmer of 603 North Twenty- 

""'•r" 'd^MrsTames Bales were the parents of the following children: 
Mr. and Mrs. James Bales y,i„i^„,s. and is now deceased; 

TVZ^ rce:: ; Mr! SerElchardson, deceased; Wiiiian. 
Abigail Chrtv.~d decease ^^^^^^^^^ Bloommgton, 

"di nl' S Ri hlrdtr Unlonville, Indiana; Martha and Tarlton 

Bales deceased; and Celia Grim., who "- >;- ™ tr'^ugust 21. 

Mississippi and many s irnnshee^ fl^J c Ly Co^ty, Missouri and 
returned to Indiana, and, in 1867, came to i. y UBrnson 

later settled 'Vt'^^^f """f g^^.^Town "hip wie': he purchased 140 
County Missouri settled in B"t « /owns P, township, and 

acres, which he later sold --\^'^^J''^riL was a very successful 
later added several acres to this ti act. ivii_ 

farmer, hut moved '" f *-- " f *, rof Si^acr^ and is well 
home seven years ago. Ihis place 

improved. v, ip; I8fi7 to Polly Ann Roberts of 

Mr. Bales was married ^avch 15, 1867 to ^^o y 

Hendricks County, Indiana. She died - O^t^b", 1871. Mx- 

Bales were the parents of the f ol owm. c ren E za Jan^.^^^^^ ^^_ 

Oliver H., who was born June 15, 186 J, ana now 



souri. 




WILLIAM H. BALES 




MRS. WILLIAM H. BALES 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 329 

Mr. Bales was married the .second time to Miss Margaret E. Mat- 
kins of Butler Township, and they were the parents of the following 
children: Leota, wife of Wm. H. Cox, Cypress Township; William Logan 
of Wray, Colorado; Walter J. of Bethany, Missouri; Nora B., deceased; 
Thomas of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Cordie M. Davis, deceased; and 
James H., who died at Albany, Missouri. 

Mr. Bales was married a third time March 16, 1911 to Susie (Good- 
night) Stock, a daughter of A. J. and Mary A. (Wilson) Goodnight, 
both of whom are deceased, and are buried near Mt. Moriah, Missouri. 
By a former marriage of Mrs. Bales to Wiliam W. Stock, she had two 
children: Zella Ruth, the wife of Harry Taff, of Concordia, Kansas; and 
Mabel Orvice, the wife of William T. Coots. 

Mr. Bales is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at 
Bethany, Missouri, and has many friends in this city and throughout 
the county. 



S. A. Evans, a popular dealer in implements and farm machinery in 
Bethany, Missouri, was born in Tonganoxie, Leavenworth County, Kansas, 
September 11, 1871, the son of Lemuel and Ellen J. (Lash) Evans. 

Lemuel Evans settled in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1854, and his wife, with 
her parents, came to the same place in 1856. When the Civil War broke 
out Lemuel Evans enlisted at Lawrence as a member of the First Kansas 
Troop of Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Wilson Creek the 
same day that General Lyons was killed, August 10, 1861, and carried the 
ball which wounded him in his head to the day of his death. Because 
of his wound, he was discharged from the army. He took up the vocation 
of farming and continued this work for several years when he engaged in 
the real estate business in which work he remained for the last thirty 
years of his life. He died January 22, 1921, and is buried at Tonganoxie, 
Kansas, where his widow still lives. 

To Lemuel Evans and Ellen J. (Lash) Evans the following children 
were born: S. A., the subject of this sketch; J. W., now in the real estate 
business at Tonganoxie, Kansas; a daughter, now Mrs. Ivan Secrest, of 
Tonganoxie, Kansas, and L. F., now living in Salesia, Montana. 

S. A. Evans received his education in the public grammar school of 
Tonganoxie and in the Friends Academy at the same place. He followed 
the vocation of farming until he was twenty-six years old when he went 
into the implement business at Tonganoxie, remaining in this business 



330 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

until 1912. In 1913 he bought the Moore & Boatman stock of implements 
and farm machinery at Bethany, Missouri, and has continued in this loca- 
tion ever since. He carries a complete line of goods, handling the machin- 
ery of the International Harvester Company and the John Deere Company. 

S. A. Evans was married September 12, 1894, to Etta Anderson, a 
daughter of C. D. and Mary (Rice) Anderson, of Tonganoxie, Kansas. Mrs. 
Evans and her parents were natives of New York. C. D. Anderson and his 
wife both died in Tonganoxie, and are buried in the Tonganoxie Cemetery. 

S. A. Evans and Etta (Anderson) Evans have two children: Edna, 
now Mrs. Lloyd N. Brown, a sketch of whom appears in this volume ; and 
VVilma, now a student in Junior High School. 

Mr. Evans is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of 
Tonganoxie, Kansas ; of the Chapter and Commandry at Bethany and the 
Council at Chillicothe, Missouri ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at 
Bethany ; the Knights of Pythias Encampment at Bethany and the Modern 
Woodman of America at Bethany. 

Mr. Evans is a progressive and reliable citizen, always ready to further 
the civic interests of his town and standing high in the esteem of his fellow 
citizens. 



William McCuUoch Dunn, merchant for nearly fifty years in Bethany, 
Missouri, and now living retired but still connected with the Harrison 
County Bank, was bom in Washington County, Virginia, January 9, 1839. 

His early environment was that of a farm boy, his father being a small 
planter and he grew up with the other children in the rural districts of 
Old Virginia. He attended the old Field Schools of Virginia and the build- 
ing he knew as a school house was constructed of logs with better than 
ordinary furnishings and equipment. Here he gleaned a knowledge of 
geography, grammar, history, and physics and thus acquired sufficient 
knowledge to qualify him as a teacher. 

Shortly after he reached manhood the war between the States began, 
and in 1861 he enlisted for service and for four years was a member of the 
Southern Army, battling for the Confederacy. He was commissioned 
captain, quartermaster and paymaster. He was assigned to the Thirty- 
sixth Virginia Regiment of Infantry, which regiment was a part of the 
Array of Northern Virginia, but his service was in West Virginia and the 
Mississippi Valley. In 1861 he was in his first battle at Gauley, under the 
command of General Floyd. He was also present at Cloyd's Farm and 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 331 

Other minor engagements. In the early part of 1862 he was with the troops 
concentrated along the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and was under 
the command of Floyd at Fort Donelson. Just before the surrender of 
that fort, he and his command escaped by boat up the Tennessee River 
and he went on the same boat with Generals Pillow and Floyd. He later 
saw service under Jubal A. Earley up and down the Shenandoah Valley 
and was at the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek and was captured at 
Waynesboro but managed to escape a short time later, leaving all his per- 
sonal belongings, even to his tooth brush. He walked across the country 
to Lynchburg and then joined Breckenridge's command. Toward the end 
of the war his regiment was at Christianburg on its way (to Petersburg 
and Richmond to join Lee's army when the command was disbanded, the 
commander being General John B. Echols. Mr. Dunn saw service the en- 
tire four years of the war. He was never wounded and was acting quarter- 
master of a brigade when the war closed. 

After the war Mr. Dunn taught one term of school in Virginia and 
then came west to Bethany, Missouri. He traveled by rail to Chillicothe, 
Missouri, and by stage the remainder of the way. Bethany at that time 
was a town of several hundred people. Mr. Dunn clerked one year for 
H. M. Cuddy and a little later became a partner. A year later he bought 
an interest in the firm of Munson & McGeorge and for several years the 
firm of McGeorge & Dunn had a large trade. Mr. McGeorge sold out to 
Robert H. Dunn, a brother of William M. and the firm became William M. 
Dunn & Brother. Later a nephew, W. F. Cuddy, came into the firm and 
it was then reorganized as Dunn Brothers & Company. Mr. Dunn retired 
from the firm in 1902 and has since been engaged with his private interests. 

William M. Dunn was married in 1870 to Miss Desdemona Munson. 
daughter of Thomas Munson, who came to Missouri from Kentucky. Mrs. 
Dunn died in 1874, leaving a son, William Victor, who for a time was asso- 
ciated with his father in business. Later he went to Kansas City, Missouri, 
where he was a successful real estate dealer and where he died March 12, 
1907. William Victor Dunn married Louisa Morrison, who now lives in 
Kansas City, Missouri, with her son, Stewart William Victor Dunn. 

Mr. Dunn comes of an old Virginia family of Scotch Irish stock and, 
besides his record as a Confederate soldier, the descendants are entitled to 
membership in the patriotic societies that commemorate service in the Co- 
lonial and Revolutionary wars. His grandfather, William Dunn, came from 
Ireland and founded the family in Virginia and was a soldier in the Revolu- 



332 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

tion. His children were: William, John, Dr. Samuel, Mary, who mamed 
Caleb Logan ; Katie, who married Shaw Logan ; Lydia, who married Jonas 
Smith. All except the subject of this review spent their lives in Vii'ginia. 

John Dunn, father of William M. Dunn, was born in Washington 
County, Virginia, and died there in 1845. He married Mary McCulloch, a 
daughter of Robert McCulloch and a grand-daughter of Thomas McCul- 
loch. The McCulloch family came from Scotland. Thomas McCulloch was 
a Colonial soldier during the Revolution and was killed at Kings Mountain. 
Robert McCulloch married Sarah Clark. Mary (McCulloch) Dunn died in 
Virginia when nearly eighty-six years of age. She was a member of 
the Methodist Church. Her children were : Mary, who married David Cuddy 
and spent her life in Virginia; Theophilus, now deceased was a soldier in 
the Thirty-seventh Virginia Lifantry during the war and was wounded 
in the Battle of Kernstown, under Stonewall Jackson. For many years 
after the war he was a merchant in Virginia. He came to Oilman, Mis- 
souri, in 1904 and died there in January 1918. 

The other children of Mary (McCulloch) Dunn were: William M., of 
this sketch; Robert H., of Bethany, and John F., who was a Confederate 
soldier and is now a farmer in Washington County, Virginia. 

Mr. Dunn is a democrat and is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows Lodge. 



W. T. Lingle, the efficient manager of the Bethany Mill & Elevator 
Company, was born in Cameron, Missouri, June 13, 1877, the son of E. Y. 
and Mary (Cline) Lingle. E. Y. Lingle was born near Wauseon, Ohio, where 
he grew to manhood. He enlisted for service in the Union Anny during 
the Civil War, serving in an Ohio company. Soon after the close of the 
war, he came to Missouri and settled at Cameron where he operated a mill. 
He had learned the trade of miller in Ohio and continued in that work all 
of his life. He left Cameron and came to Bethany where he operated the 
mill now managed by his son. He was married in Cameron to Mary Cline, 
a native of Pennsylvania. She lives in Bethany; her husband died in 1911 
and is buried in the Pythian Cemetery at Bethany. 

W. T. Lingle received his education in Missouri Wesleyan College at 
Cameron and in Kansas Wesleyan College at Salina, Kansas. He was 
trained in the milling business by his father with whom he worked for 
some time. He took over the Bethany Mill & Elevator management, suc- 
ceeding his father several years ago. This mill is located in West Beth- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 333 

any on the site of the first mill ever built in the town. It is an historic 
spot in the annals of the commerce of Bethany. In the early days wool was 
carded here, and later on a saw mill was operated on this site for many 
years. The present mill was formerly run by McClures and was later taken 
over by E. Y. Lingle. The mill has a capacity of 100 bushels per day, 
grinding both wheat and corp.. The "Daylight Flour," a very popular brand, 
is made here. The m.ill also makes a white corn meal which is proving un- 
usually satisfactory. 

W. T. Lingle was married in 1907 to Emma Jennings who was bom 
and reared in Bethany. Mr. and Mrs. Lingle have one daughter, Bedonna, 
and one son, Elmore. 

Mr. Lingle is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Bethany. 
He has served two terms on the council of Bethany and has been the 
secretary of the Harrison County Fair since its organization in 1915. Mr. 
Lingle is a good business man who merits and has the esteem of his fellow 
citizens. 



A. C. Flint, one of the capable proprietors of the Crossan Motor Com- 
pany, of Bethany, Missouri, was born in Bethany. December 7, 1887, the 
son of A. H. and Ida (Miller) Flint, both living in Bethany, where Mr. 
Flint conducts a grocery store. 

A. C. Flint is one of the energetic and popular young business men of 
Harrison County. He was educated in the Bethany Public Schools and 
when only twenty-three years old was honored by his county with the 
election to the office of sheriff. He was the youngest man ever elected to 
that office in the State. He served from 1912 to 1916 and then went into 
the automobile business in partnership with L. M. Crossan, which business 
relationship continues to the present time. 

The first location of these partners was on West Main Street, where 
they handled the Buick automobiles, Wallace tractors and International 
trucks. They did a good business and in September, 1920, they changed 
their lines, buying their present business, one block north of the Public 
Square. Here they occupy a two story building 36x99 feet in dimensions. 
As a firm they succeeded Charles Hacker, deceased. Under the new firm 
name of the Crossan Motor Company, Mr. Flint and Mr. Crossan sell Ford 
cars, trucks and tractors. They carry a full line of repairs and do all sorts 
of repair work. Under the management of the two proprietors, the busi- 



334 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ness has prospered and the Crossan Motor Company has met with well 
merited success. 

A. C. Fhnt was married in 1913 to Lucy Rose Kenyon, a daughter of 
John W. and Hettie Kenyon, of Bethany. Mrs. Flint was born and reared 
in Bethany, attending the Bethany Public Schools and later the State 
Teachers College at Maryville, Missouri, and the State University at 
Columbia, Missouri. For several years prior to her marriage Mrs. Flint 
was a teacher in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Fhnt one child has 
been born, a daughter, Madeline Clare. 

Mr. Flint is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
Lodge. Mr. Flint is industrious and stands high in the estimation of 
the community. 



Alva C. Bartlett is an enterprising young farmer of Bethany Town- 
ship. He is a native of Harrison County, having been born in Grant Town- 
ship, May 16, 1892. His father is David Bartlett and his mother was 
Anna (Cave) Bartlett, a daughter of Reverend A. N. Cave, a minister in 
the Methodist Church. Mrs. Bartlett was born and reared in Harrison 
County and was fifty-four years of age at the time of her death, February 
22, 1921. To the marriage of David and Anna (Cave) Bartlett two chil- 
dren w^ere born: Alva C, the subject of this sketch, and M. Kathryn, the 
wife of A. C. Fay, living in Bethany Township on the home place. Mr. 
Fay is at present attending the Wisconsin State University at Madison. 

Alva C. Bartlett was educated in the public schools of the county and 
spent two years in the Bethany High School. He has followed the voca- 
tion of farming ever since. He bought his present place of eighty acres 
from his father in March, 1917, and has lived here since that time. He 
raises stock and has Duroc Jersey hogs, with one registered male; pure- 
bred Jersey cattle with a registered male ; full blood Shropshire sheep, and 
White Leghorn chickens. He has about 275 fowls and 500 or more chicks. 

Mr. Bartlett was married December 24, 1913, to Hazel Roleke. Mrs. 
Bartlett is a daughter of Hennan and Rachel (Mainwang) Roleke, both 
living at Bethany. 

Mr. Bartlett is one of the promising young men of the county. He 
has high standards of citizenship and is esteemed throughout his 
community. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 335 

Robert M. Mitchell, Civil War veteran and pioneer farmer of Harrison 
County, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1840, 
the son of J. T. and Elizabeth Mitchell, both of whom died in the county 
where their son was born. There were six girls and five boys in the 
Mitchell family, of whom the only one hving now, besides Robert M. 
Mitchell, is Mrs. Sarah Ann Adams, of Columbus, Kansas. 

Robert M. Mitchell enlisted in the Union Army at the age of twenty- 
one, on October 15, 1861, in the Eighty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers, under Colonel Joshin B. Howell, who was killed accidentally 
September 14, 1864. Mr. Mitchell was mustered out of service at City 
Point, Virginia, in January, 1866. He entered the army under Genera! 
McClellan and was mustered out under General Grant, having served four 
years and two months without ever having tasted liquor, played a game 
of cards or spoken an oath. Mr. Mitchell learned to read and write while 
in the army and his penmanship is quite legible. Mr. Mitchell was present 
at the historic scene at Appomattox Court House in Virginia when Gen- 
eral Lee surrendered. He secured a piece of the apple tree under which 
the surrender was signed and on this wood he had inscribed the names of 
the various battles in which he participated. The wood has since been 
cut into pieces and given to Mr. Mitchell's childi'en. The list included 
Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oak, Seven Pines, Seven Days' Battle, Jones 
Ford, Harrison Landing, Sufl'olk, Blackwater, Southwest Creek, Kingston, 
Wliite Hall, Goldsboro, Folly Island, Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Fort 
Giegg, White Marsh" Island, Charleston, Bermuda Hundred, Strawberry 
Plains, Deep Bottom, Chaplin's Farm, Petersburg and Appomattox Court 
House. Mr. Mitchell was fortunate in never having been wounded dur- 
ing his period of service in the army. 

Robert M. Mitchell came to Harrison County in 1871 and worxed by 
the month for two years. He then settled on the farm where he now 
lives when all but six acres of the land was covered with timber, and he 
at once began to improve the place. He now owns 182 acres in Bethany 
Township. He has always engaged in general farming and stockraising 
until the last three years, when his sons have operated the farm. The 
house on the farm was burned in November, 1900, and Mr. Mitchell then 
built his present residence, two miles southeast of Bethany. The farm 
is well improved and well kept. 

Mr. Mitchell was married November 29, 1871, to Susan T. Buck, a 
daughter of Bethuel and Mary P. Buck, both early settlers of Bethany 



336 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ToAvnship. Mrs. Mitchell died July 16, 1920, at the age of sixty-nine years, 
and her remains are buried at Bethany. To Robert M. and Susan T. 
(Buck) Mitchell the following children were born: James, married to 
Katie Miller and living at Bethany; Charles, married to Etta Long and 
living in Bethany Township; Alonzo, married to Carrie Prather, living in 
Bethany Township; William, married Ina Hall and living in Bethany 
Township ; Clint, on the home place ; Ed, married to Nellie Ray and living 
at CoflFey, Missouri; Mart, died at the age of twenty-'three, was married 
to Hattie Flint and had one son, Robert; and Pearl, now Mrs. Andrew 
Murray, of Bethany Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell had the following grandchildren: Gladys 
Mitchell, married to Paul Bethel ; Clyde, Owen, Raymond, Victor, Ross and 
Lae Mitchell ; and Garland and Dean Murray. The great-grandchildren are 
Robert and Opal Mitchell. 

Mr. Mitchell, because of his experience in the Civil War, and his 
work as a pioneer farmer of the township, is a very interesting man. He 
is a good citizen and holds the esteem of his community. 



Daniel D. Boyce. deceased, widely known in Harrison County, was 
born in Harrison County, Kentucky, in 1832, and died at Blue Ridge, 
Harrison County, Missouri, October 31, 1901. He was the son of Noah 
and Matilda (Toadvine) Boyce, who located in Sherman Township, where 
they both died, and are buried at Fairview Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Noah Boyce were the parents of twelve children, as 
follows, all deceased : William ; Mrs. Abbie Brown ; Mrs. Amelia Speigle ; 
Margaret Hodson: Evaline Bolar; Ann Bolar; Paris Ann Massie; Daniel 
D. ; and Taylor; and four children who died in infancy. 

Daniel D. Boyce was a member of Company E 43rd Regiment, Mis- 
souri Volunteers, having served first in the State Militia, and then 
joined the 43rd Regiment, during the Civil War. He bought from the 
government 160 acres of land in Sherman Township, paying $1.25 per 
acre — and preempted eighty acres, and after the war bought other tracts 
of land there. Besides his farming activities, Mr. Boyce was county 
judge of Harrison County, and also justice of the peace of Sherman 
Township for several terms, and was well and favorably known through- 
out the county. Mr. Boyce was a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows of Bethany. 








DANIEL D. BOYCE 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 337 

Daniel D. Boyce was married the first time to Sarah C. Maddox, and 
they were the parents of two children; Ida Frances, the wife of Charles 
C. Fordyce of Ridgeway, Missouri; and Susan Elizabeth, deceased. 

Mr. Boyce's second marriage was to Nancy J. Baldwin on April 28, 
1863. Mrs. Boyce was a daughter of William and EHzabeth (Harrison) 
Baldwin, who came to Missouri in 1856, and settled in Daviess County, 
Missouri. Mr. Baldwin was a minister of the Baptist Church, and was 
pastor of Grand River Church for twelve years. He was also pastor 
at Blue Ridge, Coon Creek, and Pilot Grove Churches in Daviess County, 
Missouri. Mr. Baldv/in died August 30, 1911, at the age of ninety- 
seven years and seven months, and his wife, who was born January, 
20, 1814, died September 19, 1850. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were the parents of the following children: 
Mary Hannah Dollins, deceased; Alzina Ann, deceased; Sarah Elizabeth 
Hunter, deceased; Mrs. Boyce, who was born at Ladoga, Indiana, Feb- 
rurary 4, 1842 ; Serilda Calista, deceased ; Samantha Evelyn Ward, who 
died December 20, 1920 ; and Martha Ellen Brown, who died June 5, 1921, 
who were twins ; and John Wiliam Baldwin, the only son, who, for 
many years, resided in Colorado, but who now lives in Daviess County, 
Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Boyce were the parents of two daughters: Mrs. Lillie 
Paris Taggart, deceased; and Etta Lura, the widow of S. W. Brandom. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brandom were the parents of four children: Vincent Boyce, 
Ralph Wallace, Charles Daniel and Lena. 

Mrs. Boyce is a member of the Baptist Church, Ladies Aid Society, 
and The Ladies Relief Corps. She is a lady of unusual intelligence, very 
active and alert, and has many friends throughout the county. 



George W. Nickerson, pioneer farmer of Harrison County and pro- 
prietor of the Fairview Stock Farm, was bom in Schoharie County, New 
York, April 19, 1858, the son of Peter B. and Mary Ann (Tibbetts) Nick- 
erson, both deceased. Peter B. Nickerson was a Civil War veteran, enlist- 
ing from New York. His two sons, Reynolds and Andrew, also enlisted 
in the Union Army in New York. Peter B. Nickerson and his wife came 
west in 1865, settling first in Henry County, Iowa, where they lived four 
years, coming to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1869. They settled three 
miles east of Martinsville on a farm, and here Mr. Nickerson died in 1878. 
(17) 



338 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

His remains are buried in Kidwell Cemetery. His widow later married 
Jacob McLey, of Bolton, Missouri. She died in February, 1907, and her 
remains are buried in Kidwell Cemetery. To Peter B. and Mary Ann 
(Tibbetts) Nickerson the following children were born: Mrs. Phoebe Height, 
deceased; Reynolds, died while superintendent of the County Home of 
Harrison County; Andrew, a resident of Hays County, Nebraska; Mrs. 
Thedosia Kibbey, deceased; Mrs. Eliza White, deceased; Joshua, died 
while in Washington County, Iowa ; Mrs. Ruth Grace, of Stafford County, 
Kansas; George W., the subject of this sketch; Charlie, a resident of 
Chillicothe, Missouri ; and Peter, now living in Oklahoma. 

George W. Nickerson came to Harrison County with his parents in 
1869 when the county was comparatively new. He attended the old dis- 
trict school and began to make his own way in the world at the age of 
nineteen. He recalls vividly the trials and hardships of those early days 
when he was getting started on his life work. He drove oxen for eight 
years, breaking the prairie land, for fifty cents a day. He saved the 
money that he earned and in 1889 he bought a farm in the northwest corner 
of Bethany Township, paying three dollars an acre for it. Here he lived 
for thirty-two years. The first farm contained forty acres, but Mr. Nick- 
erson soon added to the original tract. This land was entered in pioneer 
days by John Tarleton. It was sold by Mr. Nickerson for fifty dollars 
an acre, later it was sold again for $140.00 an acre and in 1920 for $165.00 
an acre. The increased price of this tract of land is indicative of the 
rapid economic and commercial growth of Harrison County. Mr. Nicker- 
son bought his present farm, the Fairview Stock Farm, comprising 220 
acres of land, in 1908. This land was originally entered by Sam Neal. 
Mr. Neal's old cabin still stands on the farm and has been weatherboarded 
and plastered and is used as a home by his son. Mr. Nickerson has always 
been a farmer and stockraiser and for several years has raised Percheron 
horses and Red Polled cattle. He now has twenty-seven registered cows and 
has always found a ready market for his stock. The residence on the farm 
was built by Mr. Nickerson in 1910 and affords a fine view of Bethany. 
There are also two good stock bams and other good farm buildings. Mr. 
Nickerson has owned 1,200 acres of land in Harrison County, all of it 
now owned by his children with the exception of the Fairview Stock Farm. 

Mr. Nickerson was married February 18, 1888, to Eunice C. Miller, a 
daughter of J. H. and Elizabeth Miller. The former died June 9, 1920, 
and buried in Miriam Cemetery; the latter lives with her children. To 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 339 

George W. and Eunice C. (Miller) Nickerson the following children were 
born: Raleigh R., married to Mary Glenn, and is now with the Farm Bureau 
at Bethany; John J., of Bethany, married to Ethel Myers; Rosa, the wife 
of 0. N. Falles, of Blue Jacket, Oklahoma ; Bert B., of Bethany Township, 
married Kittie Ross; Edward, of Bethany, married Mrs. Pearl Sutton; 
Elizabeth, wife of Charles King, of Genoa, Nebraska ; Pearl, married Willa 
Ross and lives on the home farm; Phoebe, wife of R. L. Preighter, of 
Bethany Township; Elsie, wife of J. H. Hall, of Bethany. William was 
accidentally killed in an automobile accident in June, 1918 ; Clayton, of 
Grant Township, married to Chloe Wooderson ; and Steward, living at home. 
Mr. Nickerson is a director in the First National Bank and assisted m 
its organization. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. 
Nickerson is one of the progressive and prominent farmers and stockmen 
of his county, where his name has always stood for enterprise, industry 
and integrity. 



John E. Claytor, member of a well known pioneer family of Harrison 
County, was born in Bethany Township, February 9, 1860, the son of Sam- 
uel A. and Margaret J. (Six) Claytor. Samuel A. Claytor was bom in Bed- 
ford County, Virginia, in 1827. In 1859 he left his native State and made 
the long, hard journey to Missouri, driving all the way. He settled on a farm 
a mile south of the present John E. Claytor farm, buying 100 acres of 
land at first and adding to the original tract until he owned 1,060 acres. 
He was a prominent breeder of fine stock. He bought one of the first 
registered Shorthorn bulls ever brought to the county, and raised and fed 
cattle and hogs. He died at the home of his son, Samuel, September 14, 
1907, and his remains are buried in Shady Grove Cemetery. His wife 
was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1830 and died at the home of 
her son, Samuel, June 14, 1911. Her remains are also buried in Shady 
Grove Cemetery. 

To Samuel A. and Margaret J. (Six) Claytor the following children 
were born: Nancy, married to M. Smith and died in Springfield, Missouri, 
ir 1907 ; W. N. and J. W., twins, now farmers in Wliite Oak Township ; 
Mary J., married W. McCoy and lives in White Oak Township; John E., 
the subject of this review; and Samuel, of Harrison County. 

John E. Claytor was educated in the public schools and remained 
with his parents until he was thirty-two years of age. He now owns 144 



340 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

acres that was formerly a part of the home place, and to this he has added 
100 acres, thus making a farm of 244 acres. He built a new residence 
of the bung-alow style in 1918 and in 1921 built a barn. He has most of 
his farm in pasture. 

Mr. Claytor was married March 30, 1892, to Stella Price ,a daughter 
of J. T. and Rebecca A. (Miller) Price, and for the ten years prior to her 
marriage she was a teacher in Harrison and Daviess counties. Her father 
was born in Kentucky, September 2, 1835. He enlisted for service in the 
Civil War in September, 1862, and was a member of Company M. Merrill's 
Horse. He served until the close of the war, when he settled in Daviess 
County, where he lived until 1882, when he moved to White Oak Town- 
ship, Harrison County. He died here May 30, 1901, and his remains 
are buried in Miriam Cemetery, at Bethany. His wife was born in Ohio 
in 1839 and came to Harrison County with her parents in 1855. They 
settled in Adams Township and entered land there. Mrs. Price was a 
teacher before her marriage, and she, as well as her husband, entered a 
tract of land. To J. T. and Rebecca A. (Miller) Price the following chil- 
dren were born : Orlando, a resident of Potosi, Missouri ; Stella, now Mrs. 
Claytor; Orville, died at the age of forty-nine; Frank, who is deceased 
and whose family live in Pattonsburg, Missouri; and John T., a graduate 
of St. Louis Medical College, for thirteen years a practicing physician and 
now a resident of Shamrock, Oklahoma. 

Mr. and Mrs. Claytor have two children. Their daughter, Mabel Price, 
is a graduate of the Bethany High School, holds the Bachelor of Science 
degree with a state life certificate to teach from the Missouri State Uni- 
versity, which she attended for four years, and is a teacher in the Bethany 
High School. Their son, Orville B., is now a student in the Missouri 
State University. 

Mr. Claytor is a stockholder in the Bethany Trust Company and in 
the Farmers' Lumber Yard and the Bethany Fair Association. He is a 
commissioner of the Southwest Special Road District and has taken an 
active interest in securing good roads for the county. Mr. Claytor is one 
of the prominent men in his community and has always manifested deep 
interest in civic affairs. 



C. W. Wiley, prominent farmer and well known proprietor of the 
Plain View Farm in Bethany Township, on Rural Route No. 6, was bom 
in Bolton, Fox Creek Township, October 25, 1867, the son of Dr. J. W. 
and Susan M. (Howerdon) Wiley. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 341 

Doctor Wiley was born in Indiana and came to Missouri with his 
parents in the pioneer days. The family settled near Bolton, Harrison 
Coumty, entering land there. Doctor Wiley enlisted in the Union Army 
during the Civil War and remained in service until the close of the war. 
He left the army in bad health, caused by an attack of measles. He 
graduated from the St. Louis Medical College and practiced medicine 
there for a while, working under his brother, Wilfred Wiley. He came 
to Bolton and began the practice of his profession about 1865. He rode 
horseback over the prairies for many years and was one of the men who 
did much to make possible the present growth of Harrison County. Doctor 
Wiley died of pneumonia in Blue Ridge, Sherman Township, about 1894. 
His wife, Susan M. (Howerdon) Wiley, also died in 1894. They are buried 
in the same grave in Springer Cemetery. 

To Dr. J. W. and Susan M. (Howerdon) Wiley the following children 
were born : Lulu M., later Mrs. McGown, and now deceased ; Doctor W. H., 
living in Clearmont, Missouri ; Robert J., who was killed accidentally by 
the kick of a horse when he was twelve years old; C. W., the subject of 
this sketch; Claude L, now living in Casper, Wyoming; and LiUie Maude, 
married Eugene Taylor, of Kansas City, Missouri. 

C. W. Wiley was educated in the public school of Bolton. He went 
to Nebraska and took up a homestead in 1889, where he lived for sixteen 
years, improving a ranch of 1,500 acres in Dundy County, 800 acres of 
which belonged to him. He followed the cattle business in Nebraska until 
1906, when he sold out and returned to Hamson County, Missouri, where 
he bought his present home of 1591/^ acres three miles southwest of 
Bethany. This farm was originally known as the Lewis Justice farm. 
Mr. Wiley has built a good residence on it, also a barn. He has most of 
the farm in pasture. He raises Jersey cattle, Chester White hogs and 
Rhode Island and Brown and Buif Leghorn chickens. 

C. W. Wiley was married to Jessie C. Gray, December 8, 1889. Mrs. 
Wiley is a daughter of Thomas and Francis D. Gray. Thomas Gray died 
in Bethany, Missouri, in 1906, and is buried in Miriam Cemetery; his 
widow, now seventy-nine years of age, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Wiley. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wiley had the following children, all born in Dundy 
County, Nebraska: Mura Maude, born November 28, 1890, married to 
Eugene Leazenby, and died at ithe age of twenty-seven. She is buried 
in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery at Bethany, Missouri ; Samuel Porter, 
bom August 16, 1894, married Marie Chipp, a daughter of John and 



342 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Fannie Chipp, now living in Cypress Township; and Gray Wesley, born 
September 1, 1902, and now living at home. 

Mr. Wiley is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Security and the Yeoman Lodge. 
He is of Scotch descent, and is one of the reliable men of his community, 
where he is known for his integrity and uprightness. 



Isaac Newton Whitaker, well known farmer of Bethany Township, 
was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, March 11, 1849, the son of Alfred 
and Sarah Ann (French) Whitaker. 

The Whitaker family has been known in Harrison County since the 
pioneer days. Alfred Whitaker came to Missouri in 1852 and settled in 
Daviess County. In 1866 he went to Ray County, where he spent the 
remainder of his life. He died in 1881 and is buried in Ray County. A 
brother of Alfred Whitaker, James F., settled in Harrison County in 1852, 
buying land and improving a farm there. He died in Bethany. Mrs. 
Sarah Ann (French) Whitaker, mother of the subject of this sketch, died 
in 1874 at the age of forty-six, and is buried in Ray County. 

To Alfred and Sarah Ann (French) Whitaker the following children 
were born : Miranda, was the wife of Hagen Mulinix, now deceased ; James, 
died in Kentucky in childhood; John R., served in the Union Army during 
the Civil War, and died in Barton County, Missouri, about 1906 ; Lawson, 
who lived to raise a family in Barton County, where he died; Isaac N., 
the subject of this sketch ; Marshal, who died in Ray County ; Alfred, died 
in 1919 at Cameron, Missouri; and Martha Jane, died in childhood. 

Isaac Newton Whitaker came to Harrison County in 1881. He bought 
his present farm of 200 acres two miles south of Bethany from Colonel 
Robinson in 1894. This is a good stock farm, with a nice residence, plenty 
of shade trees, and good farm buildings. Mr. Whitaker does very little 
farming himself. 

Mr. Whitaker was married in Ray County in 1872 to Virginia Fravel, 
a daughter of William and Sarah Jane (Perry) Fravel, of Virginia. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fravel came to Missouri from Virginia in 1869 and settled in 
Ray County, where they both died, he at the age of fifty-five, and she at 
the age of forty-six. They are buried in Hickory Grove Cemeitery, Ray 
County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker have two sons: Reuben Berkeley, now farm- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 343 

ing the home place ; and Henry Clay, who married Ethel Hall, a daughter 
of William H. Hall, living in Bethany Township. To Henry Clay and Ethel 
(Hall) Whitaker the following children have been born: Russell, Virgil, 
Jewel Fern, Mabel, Raymond, Robert, Carlee, Alice and Mary Virginia. 

Mr. Whitaker has served as a member of the Board of Education m 
his district. He is a member of the County Farm Bureau and is one of the 
substantial citizens of the county. 



Jonathan G. E. Hinkle, well known doctor of dental surgery of Beth- 
any, Missouri, was born in Bloomington Township, Decatur County, Iowa, 
June 17, 1883, the son of Michael L. and Lydia A. (Emmons) Hinkle, both 
now living in Ridgeway, Missouri. 

Michael Hinkle was born in Mercer County, Illinois, in 1848, and his 
wife was born in Indiana in 1856. Michael L. Hinkle came to Missouri 
with his father in 1852. They settled near New Benda, Iowa, when the 
Indians were still there. His father, Colonel G. M. Hinkle, was a Civil 
War veteran. To Michael L. and Lydia A. (Emmons) Hinkle the follow- 
ing children were born: Zenos H., now a resident of Clio, Iowa; Mary L., 
the widow of J. R. Bowman, of Lamoni, Iowa ; Jonathan G. E., the subject 
of this review; Doctor V. V., living in Ridgeway, Missouri; and Quincy 
E., now a resident of Clio, Iowa. 

Jonathan G. E. Hinkle was educated in the rural schools of Mercer 
County, the Pleasanton, Iowa, High School and Graceland College at La- 
moni, Iowa. He entered the Dental College at the State University of 
Iowa and graduated with the degree of D. D. S., June 16, 1909. He located 
in Hatfield, Harrison County, Missouri, and remained in that place for 
eighteen months. In the fall of 1910 he went to New Hampton, Missouri, 
and after practicing there for four years he moved, in April, 1914, to 
Bethany, Missouri, where he has since practiced. Doctor Hinkle special- 
izes in the treatment of pyorrhea alveolaris and is vi'inning a wide repu- 
tation for his success in the treatment and cure of this disease. Doctor 
Hinkle has invented a machine for the administering of anesthetic gases 
derived from a cold liquid solution. He is known throughout the county 
as a progressive and scientific exponent of dental surgery. 

Doctor Hinkle was married June 14, 1909, to Florence Pearl Switzer, 
of Lamoni, Iowa. They have had two children: Hugh Hale, who died 
September 20, 1917, when nearly seven years old, and Roy Luveme, now 
eight years of age. 



344 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mrs. Hinkle is the daughter of Wilham G. and Clara L. (Hale) 
Svvitzer. Her father was a noted musician and Mrs. Hinkle studied with 
him for years. Later she was a student for two years of Professor 
Stouver, of Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Hinkle has a music studio in 
Bethany and is a teacher of wide and favorable reputation. She is the 
organist at the Christian Church. 

Doctor Hinkle is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; 
the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; the Woodmen of the World ; the 
Modern Woodmen of America; and the Knights of Pythias Lodges. He 
is a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, but works 
in connection with all the churches in his town. He is an active scout 
master and has done excellent work in the Boy Scout movement. In 
1912 Doctor Hinkle made the race for representative of his district in the 
Republican primaries. While at New Hampton he organized the Coal 
and Mineral Company, which company leased land and drilled until coal 
was found. Doctor Hinkle also originated the idea of the New Hampton 
Fair. Since coming to Bethany he has been connected with the Building 
and Loan Association. His energy, progressive ideas, and his marked 
ability in organization make Doctor Hinkle's services invaluable to his 
community. His fellow townsmen justly rank him as a reliable citizen 
who can always be depended upon to promote the civic welfare. 



George W. Selby, a well known and highly respected citizen of 
Bethany, Missouri, was born in Decatur, County, Indiana, the son of 
William M. and Martha J. (Flint) Selby. Mr. and Mrs. William M. 
Selby were married in Indiana and came to Harrison County in 1841, 
and settled in Sherman Township, four miles east of the present site of 
Bethany. William Selby owned between 300 and 400 acres of land at 
the time of his death, August 28, 1900, at the age of eighty-one years. 
His wife died when forty-four years of age, and both are buried in 
Antioch Cemetery. When William M. Selby made the trip here from 
Indiana, he was accompanied by Dave Terry, each furnishing a horse 
to make the team they drove. Mr. Selby built a cabin, 14x16 feet, in 
dimensions with joist across, pole roof and covered with clapboards, 
weighted down. His family were forced to go without shoes for a 
winter or two until John S. Allen made shoes for them. 

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Selby were the parents of the following 
children: George W., the subject of this sketch; Joshua J., who died 











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MR. AND JFRS. GEORGE W. SELBY 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 345 

on his farm in Sherman Township; J. P., Thomas J., who died on the 
home farm; John F., who died in Bethany Township; Jesse, deceased; 
and Rachel, who married Leonard Nichols, now deceased, and who lives 
on the home place. 

George W. Selby owns seventy- two acres of land adjoining the home 
place in Sherman Township, where he made his home until 1918, when 
he and his wife moved to Bethany, where they and their son, James 
Franklin, are living together. 

George W. Selby was married in 1862, to Martha J. Buck, a daughter 
of Bethuel and Mary Buck, who were among the earHest settlers of 
Bethany Township. Mrs. Selby was born in Tennessee, and came with 
her parents to this county, about 1842, and her parents died here and 
are buried in Miriam Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Selby are the parents of four children: Wil- 
liam B. of Butler Township, who married Mary A. Alley of Ponca City, 
Oklahoma; Mary C, the wife of George W. Hammons of Bethany, Mis- 
souri ; James Franklin, who has been a city mail carrier for the past three 
years in Bethany; and Emma Mabel, the wife of W. A. Wethered, of 
Bethany. 

The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Selby are: George, William and 
Raymond Selby; Alma Selby, wife Raymond Trimm of McFall, Missouri; 
Edgar Selby, Arthur W. Hammons, Lenore Wells of Kansas City, Mis- 
souri, Lester Wayne Selby, May Illeene Wethered. They have two great 
grandchildren: Raymond L. Trimm, and Norman Keefe Selby. 

During the Civil War, George W. Selby, enlisted in 1863, at Beth- 
any, Missouri, under Captain Sutton of the 4.3rd Missouri Cavalry. Part 
of the time he was in camp at Weston, Missouri, and the Company was 
at Platte City, and St. Joseph, Missouri. He was mustei-ed out at Albany, 
Missouri, after six months service. 

James Franklin Selby, city mail carrier of Bethany, was born July 
1, 1880, and educated in the schools of the county, and attended Bethany 
High School for two years. After finishing his education, he engaged 
in farming on the home place in Sherman Township until October 2, 
1918, when he was appointed to his present position. He was married 
August 20, 1905 to Bessie Lillian Vanderpool, a daughter of B. P. and 
Catherine Vanderpool of Giiman City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Selby 
have a son, Lester Wayne, born June 28, 1906. 

George W. Selby has an extensive acquaintance in Bethany an^ 
Harrison County, and is a substantial citizen. 



346 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Lieutenant Lawrence M. Crossan, one of the popular members of the 
Crossan Motor Company, was born in Bethany, Missouri, October 29, 
1889, the son of Edwin M. and Daisy G. (Miner) Crossan. Edwin M. 
Crossan died in 1917 and is buried in Miriam Cemetery. His widow lives 
in Bethany. 

Edwin M. Crossan and his wife had 'two children : Charline, deceased ; 
and Lawrence M., the subject of this sketch. 

Lawrence M. Crossan was educated in the public schools of his home 
town, graduating from the Bethany High School in 1907. He was in the 
lumber business for a while, but after the United States entered the World 
War he enlisted in the army in March, 1918. He was sent at once to 
Camp Funston, where he was with the Construction Division, and where 
he was appointed second lieutenant, September 18, 1918. He was mus- 
tered out of service April 5, 1919, and returned to Bethany. He has been 
interested in the lumber business and is the secretary of the Miner-Frees 
Lumber Company. He is also a partner in the Crossan Motor Company, 
a sketch of which appears in connection with the biography of A. C. Flint, 
Mr. Crossan's partner in the motor company. 

Mr. Crossan was married to Edith M. Switzer, of Ridgeway, Missouri, 
a daughter of Charles Switzer, of that place. They have two children: 
Richai'd and Catherine. 

Mr. Crossan is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
and of the American Legion at Bethany. Mr. Crossan has been a success- 
ful young business man and well deserves the excellent reputation which 
he has in his community. 



The Butler Pharmacy, a successfully conducted business located on 
the south side of the City Square, was started in 1918 by the present pro- 
prietor, Mark Butler. 

Mark Butler was born in Bethany, Missouri, February 15, 1884. the 
son of Oscar and Clarabelle (Allen) Butler. Mrs. Butler was a daughter 
of Robinson and Nancy (Tucker) Allen, who were among the early pioneer 
settlers of Harrison County. They both died here and are buried in 
Miriam Cemetery. Oscar Butler was the son of Asa Butler, also a pioneer 
settler in Harrison County. Asa Butler, a farmer in Cypress Township, 
came here in 1839 and was the first man in ihe county to put a shingle 
roof on his house and to install glass window lights. He was a member 
of the first county court ever held in the county, and throughout his life 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 347 

was a factor in the progress of his community. He was buried on the old 
home place which is now owned by his grandson. Asa Butler's son, Oscar, 
was born in Cypress Township and was reared on his father's farm. He 
was a teacher and combined with his teaching the study of law, later 
becoming an attorney in Bethany. At the time of his death at the age of 
thirty-five in 1886 he was the Harrison County attoraey. His wife died 
in 1885. 

Mark Butler, the only child of Oscar and Clarabelle (Allen) Butler, 
received his education in the public schools, graduating from the Bethany 
High School. He worked in a drug store, first with Dr. F. G. Smith, later 
buying an interest in a drug store with F. W. Sherer. This finn, under 
the name of Sherer and Butler, continued to do business for ten and one- 
half years. Three years ago Mr. Butler started the business of the Butler 
Pharmacy, in which he has been very successful. 

Mark Butler was married the first time in 1893 to Claudie Flint, a 
daughter of A. H. and Ida Flint, of Bethany, Missouri. His second mar- 
riage in 1911 was to Goldie L. Flint, a sister of Claudie (Flint) Butler. 
To Mark and Goldie L. (Flint) Butler one child has been born, a daugh- 
ter, Ruth Ida. 

Mr. Butler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of 
Bethany. His honest business methods and his friendly attitude have won 
him a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. 



Hon. F. J. Hesseltine, who has served his county four terms as its 
efficient representative in the Missouri Legislature, was born near Martins- 
ville, Missouri, August 9, 1860, the son of H. F. and Mai-y E. (Cranmer) 
Hesseltine. 

H. F. Hesseltine was born in Vermont in 1824 and came to Harrison 
County, Missouri, in 1854. He entered forty acres of land and bought 
another 160 acres in Dallas Township. He was one of the oldest pioneers 
of the county and was one of the leading citizens of his day. He filled the 
office of justice of the peace for several years and, in 1872, he made the 
race for the nomination of county judge. His wife, Mary E. (Cranmer) 
Hesseltine, was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1833. She was the first 
registered woman physician in Hamson County, where she practiced 
between thirty and forty years. Mr. Hesseltine died in 1902 and his wife 
died in 1904. They are buried in Kidwell Cemetery . 



348 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

To H. F. and Mary E. (Cranmer) Hesseltine the following children 
were born: Andrew, now a retired farmer, living in Worth, Missouri ; John, 
who died in the State of Washington; F. J., the subject of this sketch; 
Sarah, who married Augustin Tilley and is now deceased ; and Frank, last 
heard of in Virginia. 

F. J. Hesseltine was educated in the public school of Martinsville and 
in Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa. He taught school and farmed 
for seven years. He then devoted his time to farming for several years 
and now writes insurance, besides his other business interests and his 
work as representative of Harrison County. He has two farms, one in 
White Oak Township and one near Martinsville. Mr. Hesseltine is a di- 
rector of the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, and of the Mutual Fire 
Insurance Company of Harrison County. 

F. J. Hesseltine was married August 27 1891, to Mary E. Christie, 
of Watkins, Missouri. Her father was Rev. J. B. Christie, a Baptist min- 
ister, now deceased. Her mother died in 1918. Mrs. Hesseltine and a 
daughter, Mrs. Eva Lawson, died with the influenza; Mrs. Hesseltine's 
death occurring in January, 1919, and her daughter's death occurring in 
February, 1919. 

To F. J. and Mary E. (Christie) Hesseltine the following children 
were born: Eva, who married Nat Lawson and whose death is noted 
above ; Grace, a clerk in the fifty-first session of the Missouri Legislature, 
married J. E. Sieber, cashier of bank of Ohioma, Nebraska; Carter C, 
formerly a page in the Missouri Legislature, married Bertha Clark and 
living in New Hampton; and Theodore, a student in the New Hampton 
High School, from which he will graduate in 1922. Mrs. Eva (Hesseltine) 
Lawson had one son, Morris, who is in Penalosa, Kansas. 

Mr. Hesseltine is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of Bethany and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Hessel- 
tine was a justice of the peace in Butler Township and a member of the 
township board for several years. In 1898 he, with nine other men, made 
a race for the nomination of county clerk. This was the race which 
resulted in the nomination of Frank Town. In 1906 Mr. Hesseltine was 
elected representative from Harrison County and in 1908 and again in 
1910 this honor was bestowed upon him by his county. In 1911 he moved 
to New Hampton and devoted his time to business interests but in 1920 
Harrison County again called him into service and he was elected repre- 
sentative for the fourth time by a majority of about 2,500 votes. The 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 349 

various offices which he has filled indicate the high esteem in which he is 
held by his fellow citizens. His popularity is well merited, coming as a 
result of his integrity in business and his progressive ideas in legislation. 



W. J. Ebersole, successful elevator and mill owner at New Hampton, 
Missouri, was bom two miles west of Martinsville, August 29, 1878, the 
son of Cornelius and Eliza (Ralph) Ebersole. 

Coi-nelius Ebersole was born in Ohio, May 30, 1848, came to Ray 
County, Missouri, in the fifties and to Harrison County, Missouri, about 
1870. He operated the Old Muddy Mill just over the line in Gentry County 
for several years, then followed farming, and now lives retired in New 
Hampton. His wife, Eliza (Ralph) Ebersole, was bom in Gentry County, 
Missouri, the daughter of George Ralph, a pioneer farmer in Dallas Town- 
ship, who came from Kentucky in the early days. Mrs. Ebersole died in 
1911 and is buried in Lone Star Cemetery. To Cornelius and Eliza (Ralph) 
Ebersole the following children were born : Charity, living in New Hamp- 
ton; George, living on the home place; W. J., the subject of this review; 
Joseph J., of New Hampton ; Robert, a resident of Albany, Missouri, where 
he is in the milling, feed and flour business ; Eva, the wife of Alex Murray, 
of Albany, Missouri, a partner of Robert Ebersole; Bessie, now Mrs. 
George L. Parman, of New Hampton; Fred S., a farmer in Dallas Town- 
ship ; and Amy, a teacher of music in New Hampton. 

W. J. Ebersole was educated in the public schools and at the age ot 
nineteen began farming and milling business. He came to New Hampton 
in 1907, buying the old mill property. The next year he built a new mill 
and in 1915 he built the elevator now owned by the Farmers' Elevator 
Company. He sold this in 1919 and built a concrete elevator with a 
capacity of 8,000 bushels. Here he has ample room for the handling of 
both wholesale and retail business in flour, feed, grain, and field seed. He 
has installed a ten-ton scale, probably the only one of the kind in the 
county, and has all modern machinery for use in the elevator. 

Mr. Ebersole built a very nice residence in New Hampton which he 
later traded for a farm. He now owns fourteen acres of land adjoining 
the town and on this plot he raises thoroughbred Spotted Poland China hogs 
and pure bred Plymouth Rock chickens. Mr. Ebersole also owns a farm of 
120 acres in Dallas Township, which he operates. 

W. J. Ebersole was married February 6, 1911, to Ethel Runyon, a 



350 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

native of Gentry County, Missouri, and a daughter of G. S. and Lizzie 
Grace Runyon, both now Hving in Lone Star, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ebersole have three daughters: Ima E., Inez B. and Iris M. 

Mr. Ebersole is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Mr. Ebersole has met his present 
success because of his energy, industry and business foresight. 



J. S. Magee, cashier of the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, has been 
connected with the banking institution of which he is an oificer for 
twenty-two years, two years as the president and twenty years in his 
present capacity. The growth of the bank is therefore a part of the per- 
sonal history of its efficient cashier. Mr. Magee was bom in Gentry County 
February 11, 1856, the son of John R. and Martha A. (Young) Magee. 
His father came from Kentucky to Gentry County and then to Harrison 
County, where he was a prominent farmer for many years. He died in 
February, 1918, at the age of eighty-five. His wife, Martha A. (Young) 
Magee, died in February, 1877. The remains of both are buried in Magee 
Cemetery. Four children were bom to John R. and Martha A.( Young) 
Magee, as follows: J. S., the subject of this sketch; Robert M., now a 
resident of Warrensburg, Missouri; Amanda, deceased; and W. L., who 
died May 31, 1903. Amanda Magee married T. A. Williams, who lives in 
Phoenix, Arizona. Mrs. Williams died in Boulder, Colorado, at ithe age of 
fifty-seven and her remains are buried in Magee Cemetery. 

J. S. Magee was educated in the public schools of Harrison County. 
He taught school, farmed, and was in the mercantile business before 
accepting his present position. His varied training and his business acu- 
men have made him an invaluable asset to the bank with which he is 
connected. This institution, the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, was 
organized in 1892 with a capital stock of $10,000.00 and with D. P. Way- 
man president and T. J. Wayman cashier. The capital stock was later 
increased to $15,000.00. The bank has a sui-plus of $60,000.00; undivided 
profits of $10,000.00; and deposits of $235,000.00. The present officers 
of the bank are: J. H. Virden, president; Daniel Gibson, vice-president; 
J. S. Magee, cashier; W. C. Magee, assistant cashier; Eunice Gibson and 
Gladys Brenizer, bookkeepers; and J. H. Virden, Daniel Gibson, Joseph 
Funk, A. D. Stevenson, F. J. Hesseltine, J. A. Christie and John R. Mack, 
directors. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 351 

Mr. Magee was married October 19, 1876, to Lavenia A. Williams. 
a native of Gentry County, living near Albany, and a daughter of Thomas 
J. and Sarah Williams, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Magee have eight 
living children: Charles G., a merchant in Pittsburg, Kansas; Essie M., 
now^ Mrs. C. A. Heryford of 'New Hampton ; Alice L., widow of H. B. Tay- 
lor, Des Moines, Iowa ; R. W., with the New Hampton Implement Company ; 
F. M., who learned the banking business under the tutelage of his father 
and is located in I.os Angeles, California; Grace, a teacher in Chicago, 
Ilhnois; W. C, assistant cashier in the Farmers Bank; and Herman J., a 
graduate of the New Hampton High School and of the Missouri University, 
class of 1921. 

W. C. and Herman Magee were volunteers in the United States Army 
during the World War. They both went overseas and served nearly two 
years. W. C. was with the Thirty-fifth Division and Herman J. was in 
the Navy, located at Base No. 17, and worked in mine laying in the North 
Seas. W. C. was married in 1920 to Bonnadine Smyth, of New Hampton. 

The Magee family can be justly proud of the record held by its mem- 
bers in the county where the name stands for civic pride and progessive 
ideals. 



Ray Bartlett, manager of the Farmers Elevator Company of New 
Hampton, was born near Bethany, Missouri, January 3, 1888, the son ot 
Zack and Mary (Barnes) Bartlett, the latter now living in Bethany Town- 
ship. Zack Bartlett was born in Harrison County in 1849, the son of 
Daniel Bartlett who was one of the early settlers of this part of Mis- 
souri. He died September 30, 1921, and is buried at Morris Chapel. The 
Bartlett name is connected with the pioneer history of Harrison County. 

Zack and Mary (Barnes) Bartlett had the following children: Mat- 
tie, now Mrs. Thanner of Seattle, Washington; Victor, deceased; D. R., 
living in Jefferson Township; Kate, whose home is in Jefferson Town- 
ship; Eva, now Mrs. Hagen, of Cainsville, Missouri; Jennie, now Mrs. 
Kidwell of Dallas Township; Ray, the subject of this sketch; Robert, 
living in New Hampton; and Lucille, at home. 

Ray Bartlett was educated in the Bethany Public School, and taught 
in HaiTison County for ten years, teaching his first term in the Nassman 
District and his last in Maple Grove District in White Oak Township. Mr. 
Bartlett was also a farmer for six years, leaving that line of work to ac- 
cept his present position in 1921. In his work now, Mr. Bartlett is prov- 



352 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ing most successful, his energetic handling of business and his strong 
sense of integrity give him the confidence and esteem of his associates 
and of the public. The elevator was purchased by the Farmers Grain, 
Produce & Mercantile Company in 1919, two years before the present 
manager took charge. This elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels of 
grain thus affording ample space for the handling of the business done 
by the company. The company officers are : C. L. Cover, general manager ; 
Ray Bartlett, elevator manager; F. 0. Peasley, president; W. R. Clel- 
land, vice-president; Alfred Denny, secretary-treasurer; and M. B. Kelara, 
F. 0. Peasley, J. Funk, W. R. Clelland, C. T. Magee, Alfred Denny and 
J. T. Green, directors. 

Ray Bartlett was married April 25, 1919, to Beatrice Vance, a 
daughter of William and Sarah Vance of Butler Township. Mrs. Bartlett 
was born and grew to womanhood in Butler Township. She was educated 
in the rural schools of Harrison County and the State Teachers College 
at Maryville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have three children, as 
follows: Robert Vance, Sarah Lane and Forrest Morland. 

Mr. Bartlett is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and has served one term as collector of Jefferson Township. He is a young 
man of ability. 



Garland Wilson, popular attorney at law and member of a prominent 
family of Harrison County, was horn in Bethany, Missouri, February 8, 
1885, the son of J. C. and Alice E. (Turner) Wilson, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. 

Garland Wilson received his early education in the Bethany public 
schools. He graduated from the State University at Columbia, Missouri, 
in 1905, taking the A. B. degree. He then entered the University of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and gi-aduated from the Law Depart- 
ment in 1907. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Missouri 
and continued to practice in partnership with his father for three years. 
Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of law in Bethany, 
Missouri. His office was formerly the property and office of John M. 
Sallee, a well known attorney in the county. His home is the residence 
formerly known as the Judge Wanamaker place, located at 815 South 
Twentieth street. 

Garland Wilson was married February 2, 1908 to Han-iet M. Darr, 
of Bethany, a daughter of H. C. and Hattie Dan\ H. C. Darr lives in 




GARLAND WILSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 353 

Bethany, Missouri and Mrs. Hattie Darr is deceased. Mrs. Wilson was 
born in Carroll County, Missouri and was a teacher in the Bethany public 
schools before her marriage to Mr. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have 
thee children as follows: James C. II, Helen Darr and Garland Wilson, Jr. 

Mr. Wilson was elected city attorney of Bethany and served four 
years, from 1908 to 1912. In November, 1912, he was elected prosecut- 
ing attorney of Harrison County and sei'ved for the two years following. 
During the World War, Mr. Wilson w^as a leader and organizer in his 
county. He handled the sales of the Liberty bonds and was treasurer 
of the organization to promote the bond sales. When the National Demo- 
cratic Convention met in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1913, and nominated 
Woodrow Wilson for the first time, Mr. Wilson was a delegate from Mis- 
souri. The Wilson family has been widely and favorably known in Demo- 
cratic politics for years and the men of the family have always been 
prominent in political aifairs. Garland Wilson has had no small part in 
the making of the family reputation for integrity and progress. 

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Bethany. 



A. H. Solomon, well known member of the firm of Scott & Solomon, 
of New Hampton, Missouri, was born in Martinsville, Missouri, the 
son of James L. and Nancy M. (Ross) Solomon. The Ross name is 
intimately connected v/ith the early history of Harrison County. Nancy 
Ross was the daughter of Hugh Ross, who was one of the sturdy and fear- 
less men belonging to those pioneer days when conveniences were unknown 
and hardships prevailed. 

Hugh Ross was born in Ohio and came to Missouri in 1842. He 
made the trip by steamboat to St. Louis and from there walked all the 
way to Harrison County, carrying on his back all of his worldly assets. 
These included an ax which served him in good stead in his wild frontier 
home. He entered land first in Gentry County, and then came to Dallas 
Township, Harrison County, and took up land four and one-half miles 
west of New Hampton. Here he built a little cabin and began to improve 
his land and here a year later he brought his bride, Catherine Carter. 
They continued to live on the same land for many yeai'S and were the 
witnesses of great changes in the county. The old Eagleville and St. 
Joseph trail ran in front of their place, thus keeping them constantly in 
touch with the world beyond their immediate vicinage. Catherine (Car- 
(18) 



354 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ter) Ross died in 1904 and Hugh Ross died at the home of his daughter in 
Dallas Township in 1907 at the age of eighty-four. The remains of both 
are buried in Carter Cemetery. The old home place with its many his- 
toric associations is now owned by Hugh Ross' grandson, A. H. Solomon. 
Quite recently Mr. Solomon had an old barn that had been built by his 
grandfather, tom down and the hewed timbers of which the barn was con- 
structed were found to be as solid as on the day they were first used. 

To James L. and Nancy (Ross) Solomon the following children were 
born: Etta C, now the wife of U. G. Gibson of New Hampton; A. H., the 
subject of this sketch; Anna, the wife of C. B. Robins of Bonilla, South 
Dakota ; Mary, now Mrs. G. E. Scott of New Hampton ; Katie, died at the 
age of twelve ; J. C, a poultiy dealer and restaurant o\vner at Blythedale, 
and Ola, now Mrs. Eddie Linch of McFall. 

A. H. Solomon was educated in the public schools of Martinsville 
and New Hampton and the Normal School at Stanberry. After finishing 
school, he worked on a farm for two years and then went to New Hampton 
where he worked at blacksmithing for more than twelve years. The 
next two and one-half years he worked in a grocery store and meat 
market, and following that time, he became manager of the Miner Frees 
lumber yard. He kept this position for two years, then left New Hamp- 
ton and was on a farm for four years. After that he with the Rowland 
Mercantile Company for a year and then accepted the position as cashier 
of the Bank of New Hampton on April 5, 1920, and served in that capacity 
until August 9, 1921. He then entered into partnership with George E. 
Scott. They manufacture ice and are engaged in the general produce 
business and handle coal. They buy produce wholesale and retail over a 
large scope of territory. Their building is of brick and concrete, floors 
are concrete, and has a frontage of thirty-five feet and 110 feet deep; their 
ice factory supplies ice for this city and also the refrigeration plant. Their 
plant is easily worth $40,000. This is one of the best equipped plants in 
Northwestern Missouri. 

Mr. Solomon was married March 30, 1898, to Fannie E. Barger, a 
daughter of Alex H. and Nancy Barger, both deceased. Mrs. Solomon 
was born in New Hampton and received her education in the New Hamp- 
ton schools and the Normal at Stanberry. 

Mr. Solomon is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
■with the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar Degrees, and he is a 
member of the Shrine. He also belongs to the Kmghts of Pythias Lodge. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 355 

His early surroundings and his varied experience in business have given 
him a wide acquaintance. Throughout his life he has been associated 
with the development of Harrison County and has always held high stand- 
ards and progressive ideals in civic affairs. 



J. M. Kelly, a former County Judge, reliable citizen and popular garage 
owner of New Hampton, Missouri, was born in Gentry County, April 25, 
1863, the son of Francis M. and Tabitha J. (Magee) Kelly, both deceased. 

Francis M. Kelly was a native of Kentucky and his wife was bom m 
Indiana. They were married in Harrison County, Missouri, and lived in 
the southwest corner of White Oak Township where they owned 107 
acres of land. They improved their farm and lived on it for nineteen 
years. Francis M. Kelly died in 1880 and is buried in Caldwell, Kansas. 
His wife died a few years before, and is buried in Foster Cemetery. To 
Francis M. and Tabitha J. (Magee) Kelly the following children were 
born: Catherine, now Mrs. Wallace Walton of Leedy, Oklahoma; J. M. 
the subject of this sketch ; Martha, now Mrs. Rawley Clark of Denver, 
Colorado ; William, a resident of Springfield, Missouri ; and Tazwell F., of 
Butler Township. 

J. M. Kelly came to Harrison County with his parents and has spent 
his life in Butler and White Oak townships. He owns a farm of 120 acres 
in Holt County, Missouri, and also owns 480 acres of land in Custer County, 
Oklahoma. Mr. Kelly has lived in New Hampton for the last fifteen 
years. For the last five years he has been in the garage business doing 
general repair work and keeping from three to five men employed ail the 
time. 

J. M. Kelly was married August 2, 1885 to Eva R. Walton, a daughter 
of T. F. Walton, of Butler Township. Both her mother and father are 
deceased. To J. M. and Eva R. (Walton) Kelly the following children 
have been born : Delbert F., married Pearl Smith of Oklahoma, and lives in 
New Hampton ; Sylvia May, wife of Eugene Coster, living in St. Paul, Min- 
nesota; Ray R., married Madge Taylor and lives in New Hampton; and 
Linnie E. at home. Ray R. Kelly is a World War veteran, having been 
one of the first of the Harrison County boys to go overseas. He was 
in France for sixteen months, attached to a French Division and serving 
as a mechanic. 

J. M. Kelly and his sons are members of the Independent Order of 



356 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Odd Fellows, and Ray R. is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge 
and of the American Legion. 

Mr. Kelly was the constable and collector of Butler Township for 
eight years, justice of the peace of White Oak Township for two years, 
clerk and assessor for two years, and served two term as county judge of 
Harrison County. These offices given him by the vote of his fellow citi- 
zens, as well as the flourishing business which he conducts, indicate the 
very high regard and respect in which he is held by the community. 



A. L. Funk, the efficient and well known manager of the New Hampton 
Lumber Company, was born in Indiana, but came with his parents to 
this county in the fall of 1863, coming through in wagons. His father, 
Jol}n R. Funk, settled one mile south of New Hampton and bought about 
300 acres of land, the crop, stock and machinery, for $2,800.00, and lived 
there until about 1894 when he moved to New Hampton, where he died 
in 1897, in his eighty-ninth year. He is buried in Foster Cemetery, and 
his wife, Elvira Ringo Funk, who was born in Kentucky in 1816, died 
about four years previous to her husband's death. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Funk were the parents of the following children: 
Joel H., who died when forty-two years of age; Mrs. Martha J. Rader, 
who died in 1919; Mrs. Margaret Swope of Butler Township; Mrs. Lydia 
Swartz, John W. Funk, Mrs. Sarah Reed, William, Peter, all deceased; A. 
L. Funk, the subject of this sketch; and four children who died in infancy. 

A. L. Funk was educated in the public schools of this township, 
and, at the age of eighteen years, married Emma Yocum, a daughter 
of William Yocum and wife, both deceased. Mrs. Funk was educated 
in Illinois, and died December 5, 1919, at the age of fifty-eight years. 

Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Funk were the parents of the following children: 
Essie, the wife of Dr. 0. G. ¥/eed of St. Joseph, Missouri; Ova Ellen, 
who died at the age of twenty-four years, and who was a clerk in Magee 
and Stevenson's store at New Hampton ; Beatrice Elvira, the wife of 
Edward Kipp of Long Beach, California; Ruth D., who lives at home, and 
teaches in the New Hampton schools. For six years, Ruth Funk has 
taught in the schools here, and taught one year at Grant City, in 1920. 
She received her education at the State Teachei's College at Warrensburg 
and Maryville, Missouri. 

A. L. Funk has filled the office of justice of the peace of White Oak 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 357 

Township, and has also been mayor of New Hampton for three years, 
and was on the school board here for more than fifteen years. He is a 
member of the Woodmen of the World. 

Mr. Funk is manager of the New Hampton Lumber Company, which 
is owned principally by the farmers of this vicinity, and was established 
April 11, 1902. A. B. Martin was the manager for nearly one year, and 
then Mr. Funk was hired and has been with this firm ever since. This 
yard carries a complete line of building material, except hardware, and 
the capital stock is $8,000.00. The officers are : John H. Magee, president ; 
John T. Green, vice president; W. R. Clelland, secretary; Joseph Funk, 
treasurer. These four, together vdth E. A. Carter, W. A. Denny and 
J. R. Chenoweth, constitute the board of directors. 

Mr. Funk has taken but two vacations in eighteen years, and has 
given his entire attention to the success of the business. He has had a 
large experience in millwright work, also as a builder of houses, and this 
experience has been of much value to him in conducting the lumber yard. 



Scott and Solomon, leading dealers in poultry, produce of all kinds and 
coal, of New Hampton, with a branch house at Matkins, Missouri, have 
been in business in New Hampton since Api'il, 1908. The building con- 
sists of one story with basement, and artificial cooling rooms are estab- 
lished with the plant, and, in every way. Messrs. Scott & Solomon are 
well equipped with the best machinery for handling goods. 

George E. Scott is a native of Virginia, born September 19, 1882, and 
came to this county with his parents, James L. and Mary P. Scott, in 
1884. James L. Scott is a pioneer merchant of New Hampton, having 
been in the harness and shoe repairing business here for thirty years. He 
was born in Smith County, Virginia in 1842, and was married there 
in 1874 to Mary P. Davis, a daughter of D. Davis of Smith County. James 
L. Scott enlisted in the Confederate army in July, 1861, from Tazewell 
County, Virginia and remained in the army until Lee's surrender. Mr. 
and Mrs. Scott were the parents of six children, as follows: Mrs. Sallie 
Morgan of New Hampton ; Mrs. Fannie Gross of Miami, Florida, the prisi- 
dent of the State Missionary Society of Florida, and the wife of Rev. J. 
M. Gross; George, the subject of this sketch; Elmer and D. Scott of Har- 
rison County ; and James L. of Grant City, Missouri. 

George E. Scott was educated in the public schools of New Hampton, 



358 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and, after finishing school, worked for a few years for different people. 
He went into business for himself with C. E. Swartz, and for four years 
they conducted a produce business with the firm name of New Hampton 
Produce Company. At the end of four years, Mr. Scott sold out his in- 
terest and purchased an interest in the produce house of Rowlett & Sexton, 
buying Mr. Rovvlett's interest in February, 1907, this firm being known 
then as Scott & Sexton, when one year later, Mr. Sexton sold out to Mr. 
Morgan and since that time, the business was under the name of Scott & 
Morgan, until August, 1921, when it became Scott & Solomon. 

Mr. Scott was married April 1, 1906 to Mary B. Solomon of New 
Hampton, a daughter of James L. and Nancy M. Solomon. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scott have seven children : Margaret O., who died at the age of four 
years; Borland R., Maxine, Kathleen, Edwin, Erwin and Verl. 

Mr. Scott is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Bethany. 

E. C. Morgan, formerly of this firm, is the son of George and Frances 
E. (Frazier) Morgan, who came from Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1861 
and settled in Clay Township, where they bought and improved a farm. 
Mrs. Morgan died in New Hampton, October, 1914 and Mr. Morgan died 
December 10, 1919, and both are buried in Akron Cemetery. They were 
the parents of the following children: Mary L., the wife of W. H. Evans, 
of Blythedale, Missouri; Charles, a traveling salesman of Omaha, Ne- 
braska; W. L., a farmer of Mercer, North Dakota; G. W., a farmer of 
Akron, Missouri ; R. F., a traveling salesman of Des Moines, Iowa ; and 
E. C. 

E. C. Morgan was educated in the county schools and at Park College, 
Parkville, Missouri. Prior to being connected with this firm, he was 
engaged in farming in Iowa. 

Mr. E. C. Morgan was married March 22, 1902 to Sallie D. Scott, a 
daughter of James L. and Mary P. Scott of New Hampton. Mrs. Morgan 
was born in Virginia and came here with her parents in 1884. Mr. and 
Mrs. Morgan have a son, George Thurston, born May 2, 1902. 

Mr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. 

Mr. Morgan sold his interest to A. H. Solomon September 20. 1921 
and the firm is now known as Scott and Solomon. 

The business was changed to its present location, and ice manufactur- 
ing business acquired October 6, 1921. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 359 

Edward Smyth, the well known postmaster of New Hampton, who 
is now serving his second term as postmaster, was born in County Meath, 
Ireland, August 10, 1864, the son of Edward and Margaret Smyth, both 
of whom died in Ireland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smyth were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Ann, of Sydney, Australia; Margaret, of Ireland; Patrick, who died 
in Australia; Chirstopher, who died in Ireland; Oliver, of County Meath, 
Ireland; Edward, the subject of this sketch; John, who died in New 
York ; Thomas of Australia ; Michael of County Meath, Ireland ; Mrs. Mary 
Sheridan, deceased ; and James of County Meath, Ireland. 

Edward Smyth was educated in County Meath, Ireland, and grew 
to manhood there, coming to America in 1885 and locating near New 
Hampton, where he engaged in farming until he was appointed post- 
master. In 1900, he bought thirty-six acres of land adjoining the town 
site of New Hampton, and successfully engaged in horticulture, specializing 
in the raising of apples, cherries, pears and grapes. Mr. Smyth closely 
follows bulletins and agricultural papers and adopts the latest ideas and 
methods in raising fruit. He sells to shippers at his orchard. 

Edward Smyth was married in 1892 to Martha Jane Johnson, a 
daughter of Mark and Ann Johnson of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth 
are the parents of three children: Bonnadene, assistant postmaster and 
graduate of New Hampton High School of class 1910; Dallas E. of St. 
Joseph, Missouri, a graduate of New Hampton High School of class 1917; 
and Meta, a student of New Hampton High School. During the World 
War, Dallas E. Smyth was in a motor mechanic school at Des Moines, 
Iowa, and was also in camp in Georgia, Alabama and Camp Taylor, Ken- 
tucky, he was in training at Camp Taylor when the armistice was signed. 

Edward Smyth has also been constable and collector of White Oak 
Township. He is an efficient public official, who stands the test of respon- 
sibility and measures up to a high standard. 



Frank Jones, the well known and enterprising proprietor of Jones 
and Company grocery store, located on the west side of the square in 
Bethany, Missouri, was born in Harland County, Nebraska, October 18, 
1885, the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Charlton) Jones. Mrs. Sarah Jones 
lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her daughter, Mrs. Nettie Wernett. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Jones were the parents of the following chil- 



360 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

dren: John L. of Gilman, Missouri; Frank Jones, the subject of this 
sketch; Mrs. Nettie Wernett of Tulsa, Oklahoma; R. L. of Tindall, Mis- 
souri; L. M., of Spickard, Missouri; Mrs. Dora Newman of Delta, Colo- 
rado; and Mrs. Viola Hobbs of California. 

Frank Jones was educated in the public schools of this county. After 
finishing his education, he engaged in farming near Blue Ridge, Missouri, 
until December. 1920, when he bought his present grocery from Paul G. 
McGowen. This store was formerly located on Main Street, but was moved 
soon after Mr. Jones purchased it to its present location, next to the 
post office. Mr. Jones carries a general line of groceries and meats and 
has a first class grocery. The goods are neatly displayed and convenient 
for rapid work. Mr. Jones has a full line of fresh and cured meats and 
has an excellent patronage from both city and country. 

Fi-ank Jones was married June 16, 1920 to Mabel Darby of Martins- 
ville, Missouri, a daughter of Thomas Darby and wife of that place. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jones have a son, Frank Jr., bom April 8, 1921. 

Mr. Jones is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and has many friends throughout the county. 



William Avery Miner. — The late William Avery Miner of Ridgeway, 
Missouri, was during his lifetime a leading factor in the development 
of Harrison County and through his high minded purposes, indomitable 
courage and pure patriotism, he not only influenced his own time, but 
left his imprint upon the institutions of his community and county. He 
created a condition of independence during his business career as a 
result of his earnest efforts and the weight and force of his character- 
istics. If he undertook to accomplish a thing, he gave it his best efforts 
whether it was a private enterprise or a public service. He belonged to 
that class of men who accomplish something worth while each day 
which is always an important factor in the careers of successful men. 

Mr. Miner was born at Brodhead, Green County, Wisconsin, May 
8, 1861. He was a son of Samuel Elbert Miner asd Maria C. (Kelley) 
Miner. The Miners belong to one of the old New England families. 
Rev. Samuel Elbert Miner, father of William Avery Miner of 
this review, went into Wisconsin during its pioneer days well equipped 
with educational and other qualities which rendered his labors effective 
among the builders of the commonwealth. Being a minister, he set 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 361 

about preparing the way for an effective campaign in spreading the 
Gospel, with establishing congregations and building churches, at Madi- 
son, the capital of the state. He was chaplain of the first constitutional 
convention of the state and his pastorial work was carried on for a 
period of many years. During his long and effective labors he had 
at various times charge of the Congregational churches at. Madison, 
Elkhom, Wyocena, Brodhead and Monroe, but in his later years he 
gave up his ministerial work and engaged in the retail lumber business. 
Reverend Miner was known, not only in the affairs of the church and 
in business in his state, but in politics as well. His Yankee birth and 
rearing set his heart unalterably oposed to human bondage and when 
the question of the abolishment of slavery came toi be agitated, his 
radicalism placed him with the Abolitionists of his state. During the 
period of the Civil War he was appointed a member of the Sanitary 
Commission, and his duties took him into the South where Wisconsin 
troops were fighting the battles of the Union. He consented for two of 
his sons, not yet of military age, to take their places in the ranks, and 
one of them lost his young life on the bloody field of Gettysburg. 

Rev. Samuel Elbert Miner was bom at West Halifax, Vermont in 
December, 1815, and had a long line of New England ancestors who 
were factors in the Colonial life of Stonington and Groton, Connecticut. 
His father was Samuel Holman Miner and his mother was Anna Avery. 
The latter was a daughter of Captain Thomas Avery, a first lieutenant 
of the First Connecticut regiment of Revolutionary troops. Samuel Hol- 
man and Anna (Avery) Miner were the parents of nine children, sev- 
eral of whom lived beyond the years of "three score and ten", and one 
of them passed the century mark of time. Rev. Samuel Elbert Miner 
married Maria C. Kelley, who died in July, 1861, and their children were 
as follows: Charles E., who died in the uniform of his country at Gettys- 
burg as a member of Colonel Custer's famous Seventh Michigan Cavalry, 
and is buried in the National Cemetery there ; Edgar S. of Bethany, Mis- 
souri ; Mrs. George A. Richardson, deceased, of Gilman City, Missouri ; 
Mrs. B. F. Baker, a resident of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mrs. F. W. Stump 
of Redfield, South Dakota, and William Avery of this, review. 

William Avery Miner was reared at Monroe and educated in the 
high school there and grew up in the home of a scholarly and intellectual 
father and this fact had its influence in shaping the intellectual train- 
ing of the son. He began life in Harrison County as a clerk in the 



362 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Bethany yard of Miner-Frees Lumber Company. This was the first 
unit of this company's system of yards and was established just ahead 
of the railroad's advent to the county seat. When the road was built 
to New Hampton, Mr. Miner opened a yard for the company there, re- 
maining until 1885, when the company purchased a yard at Ridgeway 
and he established himself here. 

Upon coming to Ridgeway, Mr. Miner embraced the opportunity to 
share in the profits of the Miner-Frees Company and invested what capi- 
tal he had accumulated on salary and thus secured a foothold which made 
the results of his labor more efl:'ective. It was due to the persistent 
efl^'orts of the Miner brothers that the Miner-Frees Company has forged 
ahead and is supplying the building demand over a large area of this part 
of Missouri. They operate yards at the following places: 
Ridgeway, Brimson, Coffey, Spickard, Oilman City, Mound City, Oregon, 
Bethany, Blythedale, King City, New Hampton, Ford City, Missouri, 
and Leon, Iowa and also Highland, Kansas. The general offices of the 
Miner-Frees Lumber Company are located at Ridgeway and the follow- 
ing are the present officers of the company: E. S. Miner of Bethany, 
Missouri, president; Elbert S. Miner, vice-president and general-manager; 
E. A. Miner, ti-easurer; Lawrence M. Crossan, secretary and R. M. Stan- 
ley, auditor. 

In the field of banking, the Miner-Frees Company has been almost 
a pioneer in Harrison County. In June following Wiliam Avery Miner's 
advent to Ridgeway, he with his brother and B. M. Frees started a 
private bank at Ridgeway, known as the Ridgeway Exchange Bank. It 
was capitalized at $5,000.00 and William A. Miner was the cashier. The 
institution started with a fire and burglar proof safe which was located 
in the lumber yard, where it remained until 1902, and in that year the 
present brick building was erected. In December, 1902, the Ridgeway 
Exchange Bank had a paid up capital of $15,000.00 and a sui-plus of 
$3,000.00 at which time it was converted into the First National Bank 
of Ridgeday, with a paid up capital of $30,000.00, and a list of more 
than thirty stockholders. In June, 1914, the bank increased its capital 
to $60,000.00 from earned surplus. When the bank was organized, Mr. 
C. C. Fordyce became its president, and upon his retirement in March, 
1914, William A. Miner became his successor, which office he capably 
held until his death, March 22, 1920. 

William A. Miner was married in March, 1883, to Miss Martha A. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 363 

Spencer, a daughter of John Spencer, one of the early settlers of Bethany 
and one of the officers of a pioneer log church of that town. Mr. Spencer 
came to Missouri from Muskingum County, Ohio, and was reared near 
Pattonsburg where his parents settled. He married Rachel Alley whose 
father came to Harrison County in 1844 from Indiana, when she was 
nine years of age. The Spencer children were as follows: Mrs. Sarah E. 
Young of Trenton, Missouri; Mrs. Martha A. Miner, of Ridgeway; Mrs. 
Susan A. Tull of Ridgeway, Missouri; and G. William of Bethany. 

To Wiliam A. Miner and wife the following children were born: 
Charles F., Elbert S., and Erwin Avery, all of whom reside at Ridge- 
way, Missouri. 

Mr. Miner was a York Rite Mason and a member of Moila Temple. 
He was a member of the Christian Church, having united with that 
denomination in 1908, but all his life he was a liberal contributor to 
all denominations. He was public spirited and stood ready at all times 
to do his best for the furtherance of any worthy cause which had for 
its object the betterment and dupbuilding of the community and its in- 
stitutions. He was instrumental in locating the Ridgeway school build- 
ing on its present site and gave the ground for that purpose for just 
what it cost him several years previously. He was the founded of the 
school library and gave the first money for its establishment. It was 
through his efforts and encouragement that the Ridgeway Journal was 
established and in fact he was an active factor in all local progressive 
movements. 

During the World War, Mr. Miner was Chairman of the Harrison 
County Council of Defense and directed the work of that organization 
with his characteristic force and efficiency. It was during the campaign 
for the Second Liberty Loan that he delivered and address at Bethany, 
which is here quoted, as these words of Mr. Miner show what manner 
of man he was and best indicates his highminded patriotism, force and 
foresight : 

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A LIBERTY BOND. A PERSONAL APPEAL: 

"We are living in a great crisis in the world's history, a supreme 
crisis in the history of America. Governments such as ours are threat- 
ened with annihilation. The right of self-government, for which our 
forefathers gave their lives is in the balance. Shall future history 
record that we proved faithless to this great trust, this priceless heritage, 



364 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

or shall it go down to our children's children that we met the shock 
like men, giving our young men and our substance without restraint, 
freely, yes eagerly that 'Government of the People, for the People, and 
by the People shall not perish from the earth.' 

"Many of you have seen more that 200 of our young men, the 
flower of our families, go from homes of Harrison County, marching 
bravely away with laughter and song, with their faces turned toward 
this awful world conflict, marching away to victory or death under a 
flag that has never known defeat, that you and I may pursue the even 
tenor of our way in Peace, Plenty and Prosperity, and that Freedom 
may not die. 

"Shall we be worthy of this sacrifice? Then let us see to it that 
this SECOND LIBERTY BOND issue be so over-subscribed that notice 
is served on the Kaiser in no uncertain manner, that the whole inex- 
haustable resources of these United States of America are behind our 
fighting men, that we are determined to see this thing through to the 
last ditch, to the end that LIBERTY may live, that Treaty rights shall 
be maintained between Governments great or small, and that Might 
alone does not make Right. 

"We have heard the argument advanced in this campaign that, as 
this country sent more than her quota of men into the service, she 
does not need to raise the full amount or her apportionment of this 
Bond issue. We cannot think this argument can come from the lips 
of any man whose own flesh and blood is going to the fighting line. Shall 
we be less generous to our dollars than we are of the lives of our young 
men? Rather let us see to it that our quota of men in the service 
have MORE than enough of all that goes to make life easier for them 
in trench or hospital. That is the very least we can do for them, and 
that, surely they have the right to expect of us. 

"The Kaiser has thrown dust in the eyes of the American people 
long enough. Now that our vision is clearing, let us take the bonds 
of this, the greatest country on earth, with such a greedy appetite 
that all the world shall know of our supreme confidence in the result. 

"Aside from its patriotic features, as a business or saving invest- 
ment there is nothing that equals these bonds. In amounts so small that 
every head of a family may own one or more, bearing interest at 4 per 
cent per annum, payable semi-annually, free from all taxation, except 
the supertax, that would apply in case one person owned more than 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 365 

$5,000.00 of same, and absolutely safe, we should esteem it a privilege 
to own them. Should the war end within one year we have no doubt 
these bonds will command a substantial premium, and if the war con- 
tinues longer the bonds will eventually sell above par. 

"V/ith this statement of fact before you, let all subscribe freely 
and eagerly, as the terms of payment are easy, and your local bank 
will glady help you, should you not have the amount at hand just at the 
time the payments mature, and in this way do your part to meet this 
urgent situation. Do it now. This campaign ends October 27th." 



William R. Burton, a successful farmer and pioneer of White Oak 
Township, was born in Wisconsin, November 18, 1847, the son of George 
and Margaret (Setzler) Burton. George Burton came to Harrison County 
in 1855 and entered the farm where William R. Burton now lives. This 
farm consisted of 120 acres. George Burton's first residence was a one 
room log cabin; later he built another residence of one room, to which 
he added another room, and where he lived until 1882, when he died, at 
the age of sixty-five years. His wife died in 1895 and both are buried in 
Foster Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. George Burton were the parents of the 
following children; Andrew, who died at the age of seventy -two years; 
William R., the subject of this sketch, Sarah Jane of New Hampton; 
Frank of Bethany, Missouri ; George, deceased ; Laura, the widow of 
Alex Barger of White Oak Township; Martha and Emma, twins; the 
former married John Wallace of White Oak Township, and the latter 
married Russell McClure of White Oak Township; and Henry of Bethany, 
Missouri. 

William R. Burton bought the heir's interest in the home place, and 
now owns 187 acres, where he has lived since 1855. Most of the im- 
provements have been put here by Mr. Burton, and the residence, which 
was built in 1890, is on the Jefferson Highway, three and one-half miles 
east of New Hampton. 

Mr. Burton was married to Virginia C. Brooks, a daughter of Thomas 
and Catherine Brooks, who came to Harrison County, Missouri in 1854 
and settled in White Oak Township. Thomas Brooks was born April 15, 
1826 and died June 6, 1901, and is buried on the home place. His wife, 
who was bom in Tazewell County, Virginia, October 24, 1829, now resides 
with her daughter Mrs. Burton, and is in her ninety-second year. Mr. 



366 HISTORY OF HARPJSON COUNTY 

and Mrs. Brooks were the parents of the following children: Thomas B. 
deceased ; Mrs. Jennie Burton ; a son died in infancy ; Rebecca, who was the 
wife of John Green, and died June 5, 1921, and is buried on the home place. 

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Burton have a son, Thomas Newton Burton, 
and who fanns the home place. He was married December 29, 1915 to 
Tincy Vesper Justice, a daughter of Alfred and Dora Justice of Betnany 
Township. 

Wilham R. Burton is one of the few men in this county who lives on 
the farm his father entered. He says he has made enough rails since 
coming here to fence a large part of Harrison County, and that, in the 
pioneer times, he used to go to the woods often without breakfast 
and work until noon. He has a nice home and the comforts of life are 
being enjoyed by him and his estimable wife. 



Rev. H. G. Bloomfield, a well known minister of New Hampton, Mis- 
souri, was born in Michigan, November 6, 1875, the son of Samuel and 
Rozena (Hoyt) Bloomfield. The latter, who was a native of Pomeroy, 
Ohio, died in Lincoln, Kansas, in 1884. 

Samuel Bloomfield was born in Colchester, England, and came to 
America when twenty years of age. He settled in Lincoln, when buffa- 
loes were on the plains, and, while in Kansas, was a surveyor for six years. 
He located in Harrison County in 1884 and later moved to Bethany, where 
he died about 1919, and is buried in Miriam Cemetery. 

Rev. H. G. Bloomfield was educated in the schools of Albany, Mis- 
souri, and took a course in theology at Vanderbilt University at Nash- 
ville, Tennessee. His first pastorate was at Craig, Missouri, and he has 
been in the ministry of the Methodist Church, South, for fourteen years. 
He is now pastor at Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri. Rev. Bloomfield 
owns a five acre farm at New Hampton, which he purchased in 1914. For 
three and one-half years, he was in the banking business vdth the bank 
of New Hampton, and was cashier for three years and is now assistant 
cashier. He was one of the organizers of this bank and is now a director. 
Rev. Bloomfield has been president of the Harrison County Telephone Com- 
pany for four years. 

Rev. Bloomfield was married September 3, 1901 to Lillie Van Hoozer, 
a daughter of John and Sarah Van Hoozer. The latter lives with her 
daughter and the former died in February, 1920 at the age of eighty-three 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 367 

years and is buried at Grace Cemetery. John Van Hoozer settled north 
of New Hampton in Dallas Township, when a young man, and was a 
pioneer of this part of Missouri. When Robideaux ran an Indian trading 
post at St. Joseph, Mr. Van Hoozer was a pioneer freighter from there 
to other points in this part of Missouri. 

Rev. and Mrs. Bloomfield have a son, Ray, who is now a senior in 
the New Hampton High School. 

Rev. Bloomfield is a member of the following lodges: Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, Yeoman, Knights of Pythias and Modern Wood- 
men of America. He is well known in New Hampton and Harrison County, 
and is a substanial and influential citizen. 



John H. Virden, a prosperous and well known farmer of Harrison 
County, and president of the Farmers Bank ot New Hampton, was born in 
White Oak Township, on the farm now owned by Naomi J. Kinkade, Oc- 
tober 6, 1854, the son of John W. and Caroline (Black) Virden. 

John W. Virden was a native of Delaware, but came to Harrison 
County in 1839 and settled in White Oak Township, and was the first 
settler here. The first hogs he raised on his farm, he drove to Weston, 
Missouri, where he had them slaughtered and sold them dressed for $1,25 
per hundred weight. He took a wagon loaded with corn, drawn by oxen, 
to feed the hogs while on the way to Weston. The nearest neighbor to 
Mr. Virdon in the early days, was a Mr. Daley, who lived on the town 
site of Albany. At that time, there were no matches, and once, when 
Mr. Virden's fire went out, he had to go to Mr. Daley's, which was nme 
miles away, to get fire. Mr. Virden entered 160 acres of land when he 
first located here, and later entered more. The Indians supplied him 
with venison and they called him a "good white man, no shoot," as Mr. 
Virden brought no gun wth him here. He died in his eight-eighth year, 
about 1895, and is buried in Foster Cemetery, and his wife died in 1904. 

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Virden were the parents of the following 
children: W. M., who died in 1900 at the age of fifty years; Ann Eliza, 
who died when fourteen years of age; John H., the subject of this sketch; 
Mrs. Naomi Kinkade of New Hampton and Mrs. Emma E. Pruden of New 
Hampton. 

John H. Virden received his early education in a log cabin school, near 
Foster Cemetery, and later attended school in a house on the home farm. 



368 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he engaged 
in farming. His present place, which is located one and one-half miles 
east of New Hampton on the Jefferson Highway, consists of 1100 acres of 
land, and the farm has four sets of impi-ovements, including six stock 
barns. Mr. Virden has fed cattle and hogs for thirty years and has been 
very successful. He is now breeding the V/hiteface cattle and Hampshire 
hogs and Shropshire sheep and raises mules extensively. He moved to 
his present farm about 1881, and besides his agricultural pursuits, Mr. 
Virden was one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank of New Hampton, 
and has been its president for the past ten years, and previous to accept- 
ing this office, he was director and vice president. 

During the course of his career as a successful farmer and banker, 
Mr. Virden has ahvays found time to devote to the betterment and up- 
building of New Hampton and Harrison County, to the interests of which 
he has at all times shown unselfish devotion. 

Mr. Virden was married in February, 1878, to Florence A. Chipp, a 
daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Chipp, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Chipp came to Missouri from Indiana and settled in Gentry County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Virden are the parents of four children: Elizabeth, 
the widow of Curtis Larmer of Albany, Missouri; Florence Stella, the 
wife of Charles A. Roland, a merchant of Bethany, Missouri; Emma J., 
the wife of Louis T. Gibbs, of Kosse, Texas; Paul H., who lives on the 
home place. During the World War, Paul Virden was in Columbia, Mis- 
souri, a volunteer in the S. A, T. C. He was born in April, 1899. 

John H. Virden is a fine citizen, and he and his family stand high 
in Harrison County. 



Lewis D. Smith, for more than nine years the progressive superin- 
tendent of the Harrison County Home, has been prominent as a farmer, 
a stock raiser, and in public charity work ever since he has lived in 
the county. He was bom in Logan, Illinois, May 4. 1870, the son of 
Charles M. and Elizabeth Smith. Mrs. Smith died in Pottawattamie 
County, Iowa about 1876, and Charles M. Smith was married the second 
time, to Carrie Hannah, also deceased. By his first marriage to Eliza- 
beth Smith, he had the following children: Abbie, died in girlhood; 
George, living in Iowa; Grant, a resident of south Missouri; Abilene, 
deceased; and Lewis D., the subject of this sketch. By his second mar- 




LEWIS D. SJIITH 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 369 

riage to Carrie Hannah, he had two sons; Minor, and Melvin. Charles M. 
Smith died in Iowa. 

Lewis D. Smith, attended the pubhc school of Illinois one year and 
later at Ridgeway, Missouri. He began working by the month on a farm 
and kept this work up for twelve years at the end of which time he 
bought 120 acres of land southeast of Ridgeway, again working by the 
month to make Ids first payment on the land. After three years on 
his farm, he accepted his present position as superintendent of the 
County Home. The Harrison County Home is situated just west of the 
city limits of Bethany. The building, a thoroughly modern structure 
supplied with water and electricity from Bethany, cost about $40,000.00 
when it was built. The farm surrounding it consists of I821/2 acres, well 
kept and managed in such a way as to make the place practically self 
supporting. For a long time the Home did pay for its support but the 
recent drop in the price ox farm products has increased the cost of 
running the farm. Tlie faiJn buildings are built and arranged according 
to a plan worked or.l; by Mr. Smith witti most successful results. On 
the farm one finds a horse barn, a cattle barn lighted by electricity, a 
silo, two poultry houses, hog sheds, smoke house and a cave. There is 
also a house for the men inmates to use during the day. At present 
there are ninteen inmates, some of them doing light work. Mr. Smith 
himself is a practical farmer and a lover of good stock and the results 
of his interest and work are quickly seen when one visits the Home. 
For the last seven years he has been raising pure bred Red poll cattle, 
Spotted Poland China hogs, and Standard bred Brown Leghorn chickens. 

Lewis D. Smith was married September 4, 1895, to Alice Israel of 
Ridgeway, a daughter of John and Cornelia Israel, both of whom died at 
Bethany, where their remains are buried. Mrs. Smith is a native of 
Schuwley County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, 
Elizabeth Lee who graduated from the Bethany High School, and spent 
two years in Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, she was married, 
September 26, 1921, to Claud Zimmerlee, and they nov/ live at Bethany, 
Missouri. 

Mr. Smith is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebecca, and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Smith served as president of the 
Missouri State Alms House Association. This association is made up of 
all the managers of the alms houses of the state and meets w^ith the 
(19) 



370 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Missouri State Conference of Charities and Correction Board in connec- 
tion with social welfare work. Mr. Smith's work in his superintendence 
of the Harrison County Home has always received high praise from the 
association. The county may well be proud of the results of Mr. Smith's 
labors. 



J. V. Newton, a leading farmer of White Oak Township, was born 
in Quebec, Canada, June 2, 1864, the son of John and Isabelle (Kidd) 
Newton, both of whom died in Canada. 

J. V. Newton came to the United States in 1904 and was in California 
for six years. He also lived in Detroit, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and 
came to this county in 1913. By trade, Mr. Newton is a millwright, learn- 
ing this work in Quebec. He now operates a farm of 120 acres, which is 
located one mile northwest of New Hampton. Mr. Newton also has done 
extensive contracting work for the El Oro Mining and Railway Company 
of Mexico, having as many as one thousand men working under him at 
one time. He was with this Company for more than eight years, and the 
headquarters of the company is in London, England. 

Mr. Newton was married October 15, 1913 to Lottie Williamson, a 
daughter of John Williamson. Mrs. Newton was born on the farm where 
she now lives, and taught school in Hamson and Gentry counties for 
about twenty years. 

John Williamson came to Harrison County from Illinois in 1865, 
and purchased 175 acres of land in this township. There was a log house 
on the farm when he came, and later, he built the present home of J. V. 
Newton. Mr. Williamson was a farmer and stockman and died here in 
1899 at the age of sixty-one years. During the Civil War, he enlisted 
from Vermont and served three years, and he had two brothers, Robert 
and Arthur Williamson who were also veterans of the Civil War. Robert 
Williamson died in Kansas City, Missouri, and Arthur Williamson died 
in Alberta, Canada. 

Mrs. John Williamson was a native of Ireland, born near Dublin. She 
died in 1907 at the age of :.ixty-nine years, and both she and her husband 
are buried in Foster Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Williamson were the parents of the following 
children: Lottie, the wife of J. V. Newton; Arthur J. of Albany, Mis- 
souri ; Mary A., the wife of Henry McMillan of Gentry County, Missouri ; 
Dr. C. N. Williamson of Gentry County ; Reece, who died in infancy ; Jean- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 371 

ette Marie, the wife of Harry M. Davis of Casper, Wyoming ; James Alex- 
ander, who lives on part of the home place; and Hon. John R., who died 
at the age of thirty-five years, and who was a representative of this 
county in the State Legislature prior to his death. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Newton are widely known throughout the town- 
ship, and are substantial citizens of the county. 



Robert D. Scott, an enterprising and progressive member of the Scott 
Mercantile Company, of New Hampton, Missouri, was bom September 20, 
1896, the son of J. L. and Mary P. (Davis) Scott. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. 
Scott were natives of Virginia, but settled here early in life, where they 
Uved for a few years, and then moved to Ridgeway and farmed for awhile, 
but later returned to New Hampton, where Mr. Scott entered the harness 
business; he has been successfully engaged in shoe repairing business for 
the past ten years. He was also scale master for a number of years. 

Robert D. Scott was educated in the schools of New Hampton and 
spent one year at Park College at Parkville, Missouri. He enlisted in 
Company G. 139th infantry, June 21, 1916 and went to the Mexican 
border with Company G. He returned March 5, 1917, and August 5, 1917 
he was called again into service and went to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, 
where he remained nine months, and was sent overseas, April 22, 1918. 
He was on the front lines for four months with his division in the battle 
of St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne. He was mustered out May 8, 1919 
with a term of service of almost three years to his credit. 

The Scott Mercantile Company, of which Elmer and Robert D. Scott 
are proprietors, succeeded Scott and Nickerson in June, 1921. This firm 
carries a full line of groceries, shoes, dry goods and ladies' and men's 
ready-to-wear merchandise. The store is neatly kept and goods are 
nicely displayed. The building is 50x100 feet with basement under the 
entire store, and the basement is used for plumbing and storage. The 
ladies' and gent's ready-to-wear department is on the balcony of the first 
floor. The firm has a large business, for more than the average store in 
cities of this size, owing, no doubt, to the progressive and hustling activities 
of the proprietors. 

Robert D. Scott was married January 17, 1918 to Agnes G. Roleke, a 
daughter of Herman and Rachel Roleke of Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. Scott is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Karra- 



372 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

son and is chancellor commander for the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 285. 
He is a chartey member of the American Legion and is at present Post 
Commander. 

Mr. Scott is well known in New Hampton and surrounding country 
and has many friends. 



Harry B. Henton, successful manager of the New Hampton Imple- 
ment and Hardware Company, and member of a prominent pioneer family 
of Gentry County, was born three miles north of Albany, October 5, 1878, 
the son of James W. and Judie A. (Fallis) Henton, both deceased. James 
W. Henton was a native of Kentucky and came to Gentry County, Mis- 
souri, with his parents, John B. and Martha A. (Magee) Henton. They 
died in Gentry County and are buried at Henton Cemetery on the home 
place. James W. Henton died March 11, 1893, at the age of fifty years, 
four months and two days, and his wife died December 29, 1898, at the 
age of fifty-two years, seven months and fifteen days. Mr. and Mrs. 
James Henton were the parents of the following children: E. M., cashier 
of a bank at Denver, Missouri; Clara M., of Albany, Missouri; Belle, the 
wife of Marshall W. Cunningham, deceased, of Albany, Missouri; R. T., 
who lives on the home farm near Albany; Anna V. and Julia C, who 
died in childhood; and Harry B., the subject of this sketch. James W. 
Henton was a leading educator and was a teacher in the Gentry County 
public schools for many years, and was superintendent of the schools for 
several years. 

Harry B. Henton was educated in the public schools of Gentry 
County, and has followed the mercantile business since he was eighteen 
years of age, his first work being with Mrs. J. B. Twist and Company of 
Albany He was with this firm for a year and then went to New Hamp- 
ton and began work with Magee & Stevenson and continued with them 
until the death of Mr. Magee, when the stock was sold to Higgins and 
Rowland, and Mr. Henton then worked for this firm for a number of years 
and finally purchased Mr. Higgins' interest in 1906 and continued with 
this firm until 1908 when Mx\ Rowland bought out Mr. Henton. He then 
went to Stafford County, Kansas, and purchased a farm. He remained 
there for six months, at which time he sold out and returned to Albany 
and opened a dry goods store in partnership with his sister, Mrs. Cun- 
ningham. They sold this establishment in the fall of 1912, and then 
engaged in the real estate business at Albany until March, 1916, when 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 373 

Mr. Henton came to New Hampton as manager of his present business. 
This firm carries a line of implements, buggies, wagons, pumps, wind- 
mills, harness, hardware, tractors and engines and does heating and 
plumbing. Mr. Henton is an excellent manager, and the company does a 
good business, owing to his business ability, which he acquired in his 
various experiences in the mercantile line. 

Mr. Henton was married in 1902 to Nettie Maupin, of Stafford, Kan- 
sas a native of Monroe County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Henton have 
reared two girls from childhood: Joyce and June Magee. Joyce is a 
graduate of the New Hampton High School of class of 1920 and June 
graduated in 1921. 

Mr. Henton is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is 
well and favorably known in New Hampton and throughout the county. 



Samuel Bob Stockwell, a well known and progressive farmer of 
White Oak Township and member of a leading family of this section, was 
born December 28, 1870 on the farm where he now lives, the son of 
Shelton M. and Amanda Ellis Stockwell. Mrs. Shelton Stockwell was 
born November 17, 1826, a daughter of Judge Ellis, a farmer and Christian 
preacher who came to Harrison County from Rush County, Indiana, in 
1867 and located six miles north of Bethany, where he and his wife died. 
Mrs. Shelton Stockwell died March 20, 1918 and is buried at Mirian 
Cemeterj'. Shelton Stockwell lived in Ray County, Missouri, in Civil 
War times and was a member of the Missouri State Militia. After the 
war, he settled three miles west of Bethany, purchasing the Joe Riggs 
farm. He was one of the early live stock feeders and bred Poland China 
hogs and Shorthorn cattle. In politics, he was a Republican and favored 
good schools, and he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shelton M. Stockwell were the parents of the following 
children: Alonzo, of Bethany, Missouri; Belle, the wife of J. W. Kerlin, 
of Albany, Missouri; Viola, the wife of Charles McCoy, of White Oak 
Township; Alice, the vnfe of W. M. Claytor, of White Oak Township; 
Elizabeth, the wife of R. A. Cowan, of Bethany; Jennie, the wife of J. B. 
Rhodus, of Bethany, and Samuel B., the subject of this sketch. 

The father of Shelton M. Stockwell was a native of Bourbon County, 
Kentucky, and he had all the Kentuckian's love for fine horses, which he 
bred and he also engaged in farming. He married a Miss Goff, of a 



374 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

prominent family of Bourbon County, and they moved to Rush County, 
Indiana, where he followed farming until his death. He was also a 
Chrstian preacher. He and his wife were the parents of the following 
children: Thomas, died in Nebraska; Mrs. Eliza Cowan died in Indiana; 
Parson, who died in Missouri; Elisha, who died in Ray County, Missouri; 
Shelton M., the father of Samuel B. ; Margaret, who married Hugh Cowan 
and died in Indiana and Robert M.,who died in Harrison County, Missouri. 
Samuel Bob Stockwell was brought into close connection with stock 
early in life, and began buying cattle when thirteen years of age, and in 
the meantime attended the county schools, and, in his words, "he went 
as far as he could.? He became manager of the home farm at the age 
of eighteen years, and eight years later was put in entire control of it. 
He fed his first load of cattle in 1896 and has been identified with feeding 
stock ever since. His ranch comprises land in sections twelve and thirteen 
in township 63, range 29, aggregating 320 acres. In Bethany Township 
he owns land in sections 7 and 18, same township and range, amounting 
to 200 acres. He has an excellent ranch whch he devotes to the raising 
of horses, mules and cattle, and he also operates a ranch near Hatfield, 
Missouri. 

In politics, Mr. Stockwell is a Republican, but has no political ambi- 
tion. He possesses a pleasing personality, being an intelligent and 
interesting conversationalist. He is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias lodges and both he and 
his wife attend the Christian Church. 

Mr. Stockwell was married April 17, 1910 at St. Joseph, Missouri, by 
the Rev. M. M. Goode, to Miss Sadie J. Sutton, a daughter of John H. 
and Ellen Hubbard Sutton of Rush County, Indiana. Mr. Sutton was 
reared in Daviess County, Missouri, and lived in Harrison County since 
1888, and has been a prominent contractor here for many years. He has 
four sons engaged in the same line of work. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Sutton are: Leonard H., Henry G., Fred K., Ralph H.. Mrs. Stock- 
well, Nell K. ; the last named was formerly county superintendent of the 
public schools of this county; John H., Jr., and Herbert D. 

John H. Sutton died at Bethany, Missouri, December 8, 1920, at the 
age of seventy-four years, and is buried in the Pythian Cemetery. Herb- 
ert D. served in Company G., 139th Infantry, 35th Division. He was 
sent to the Mexican border and was returned here and discharged March, 
1917, and was again called to duty during the World War, in May, 1918, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 375 

and was sent to France. He was in the battles of Argonne, St. Mihiel, 
Meuse and was returned to the United States, June, 1919, after three years 
of service. He lives in Bethany, Missouri. 

J. Cowan, a nephew of Mr. Stoclcwell, was also in the World War 
and was on the boat ready to sail overseas when the armistice was signed. 

Robert H. Stockwell, another nephew, enlisted in 1916 and was sent 
to the Mexican border. He was discharged and returned in 1917, and 
during the World War he was overseas with the 35th Division and was in 
service three years. He now resides in Bethany. 

Mr. Samuel Bob Stockwell is a hustling and enterprising farmer and 
is known as one of the most successful stockmen of this section. He and 
his family are well known throughout the county. 



Isaac H. Blessing, a prosperous farmer and pioneer citizen of Har- 
rison County, was born on the farm now owned by Roy Blessing in White 
Oak Township, December 25, 1864, the son of William C. and Mary C. 
(Ellis) Blessing. William G. Blessing was a Union soldier during the 
Civil War and died about 1890 and is buried at White Oak Cemetery, and 
his wife lives with a son, Roy Blessing, in New Hampton, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Blessing were the parents of the following 
children: Joseph E., of White Oak Township; Isaac H., the subject of 
this sketch; W. G., of Butler Township; Vodra, of White Oak Township; 
Mamie, the wife of Pen Oxford, of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Albert Ft., of 
Broken Bow, Nebraska ; Stella, the wife of Herbert Wiley, of Broken Bow, 
Nebraska; Roy, of New Hampton, and Calvin of White Oak Township. 

Isaac H. Blessing was educated in Burton school district and has 
lived in Harrison County all of his life, fifty-three years of that time in 
White Oak Township. He bought sixty acres of his present place in 
1893 and since that time has added ninety-five acres, making a total of 
155 acres in the farm, which is located three miles southeast of New 
Hampton and was formerly the Wheeler farm. Mr. Blessing has a well 
improved place now, he having remodeled the residence, built two barns 
and poultry houses. He does general farming and stock raising. 

Mr. Blessing was man-ied April 4, 1887 to Martha E. Miller, a 
daughter of George and Eliza (Clevenger) Miller, the latter dying about 
1911 and who is buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. George Miller, who is 
eighty-five years of age, makes his home with his daughter. 



376 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of eleven children, as follows: 
Mrs. Rose Edgar, of New Hampton ; John, of New Mexico ; Mrs. Blessing ; 
Mrs. Ella Toombs, of Kansas; Grace, deceased; Mrs. Katie Clark, Albany, 
Missouri ; Bell, deceased ; William on the home place ; Mrs. Dosia Toombs, 
of Bethany; Charles and Emily, deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Blessing have been born four children, as fol- 
lows: Edith, the wife of Gilbert Rogers of David City, Nebraska; Wil- 
liam Earl, who died in infancy; Evert Eber, who died when twelve years 
of age; and Heraian on the home place with his parents. 

Mr. Blessing is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Bethany and is justice of the peace and member of the township board. 
He was one of the organizers of the Bank of New Hampton and is now a 
stockholder. Mr. Blessing is an enterprising citizen and representative 
of the successful type of farme)' and stock raiser of this county, and he 
and his family are highly esteemed in the community. 



Charles A. Axline, a well known citizen of Bethany, who has resided 
here for the past thirty-nine years, and who has been a resident of 
Missouri for more than fifty years was born in Kentucky September 6, 
1853, the son of Jacob and Mary C. (Edmonds) Axline both natives 
of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Axline were married in Kentucky and 
settled in Jackson County, Missouri in 1855, near Hickman Mills. While 
there, Mr. Axline entered the United States Army as a Union soldier. 
He was killed near Hickman Mills in 1864, by bushwhackers. He was 
Captain of Company B, 6th Regiment Missouri Cavalry M. S. M., and was 
in the Battle at Independence, Missouri. He is buried in Independence, 
Missouri. His wife died about 1886, in Fairfield, Iowa, where she and 
her family moved in 1865. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Axline were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Henry M., who died in infancy; John, who served in the Civil 
War; George, who was accidentally killed in Jackson County, Missouri; 
William D., who was drowned in Tiffin, Ohio, in the flood of 1913 ; 
Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Sanford and Thomas, deceased. 

Charles A. Axline was educted at Fairfield, Iowa, where he learned 
the marble cutting business, which he has followed from July, 1868, to 
the present time. He is an expert in his line of work. 

Mr. Axline was married in Cainsville, Missouri, February 15, 1879, 





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FIRST LIEUT. ARTHl'R A. AXLLNE 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 377 

to Melinda J. Chance, a daughter of John P. Chance. Mr. Chance was 
a member of Company F, of 23rd Missouri Infantry, during the Civil War. 
He was mustured out at St. Louis, Missouri and was in all probability 
murdered while on his way home. To Mr. and Mrs. Axline have been 
bom three children: Myrtle M., the wife of George W. Marshall, a 
fanner in Saskatchewan, Canada; Maud C, the wife of Joseph A. Bene- 
dict, of Chicago, Illinois, and Arthur A., bom October 27, 1889, at Beth- 
any, Missouri. 

Arthur A. Axline, was educated in the schools of Bethany and was 
a carriage painter a few years prior to going into sei^vice during the 
World War. He was married at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma to Leah 
A. Crouch, and went overseas as 1st lieutenant of Company G, of the 
139th Infantry, 85th Division. He acted as Adjutant of the second Bat- 
talion while overseas, and was later transferred to Company E, and was 
in command of this company when killed September 28, 1918, in the 
Argonne Forest. His remains were shipped to Bethany, Missouri, the 
23rd of September, 1921, and he was buried with military honors in the 
Pythian Cemetery at Bethany, Missouri. The Wilson-Axline Post of 
the American Legion at Bethany is named for Capt. Carlisle Wilson and 
Lieut. Arthur A. Axline. Arthur Axline Avas a man of excellent bearing 
and reputation and stood high among the men of this county. 

Charles A. Axline was for eight years a member of the National 
guards and Captain of Company D, 4th Missouri Infantry. He is a 
progressive, enterprising and substantial citizen. 



Martin V. Toombs, a leading farmer of White Oak Township and 
proprietor of Pine Grove Farm was born in Trimble County, Kentucky, 
August 22, 1838, the son of Thomas and Hannah (Bain) Toombs ; his 
father was bom May 1, 1813 and his mother was born April 10, 1819. 
They came to White Oak Township many years ago, driving through and 
Mr. Toombs walking most of the way. Both are dead and are buried in 
this county. Their children are: Martin V., the subject of this sketch; 
Mary E. Cummings, deceased; Emily Jane Rice, deceased; George W., of 
White Oak Township; Ann Eliza; and William L., deceased; all of the 
above were bom in Trimble County, Kentucky, and three other children: 
Cornelia Dotson ; Thomas, who died in infancy ; and Thomas II, were bom 
in Harrison County, Missouri. When the Toombs family located here the 



378 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

following old settlers were located in this vicinity: Jerry Youngs, Alfred 
Peet, John Virden and Hampton Cox. Thomas Toombs entered land here 
and owned at one time four hundred acres. 

Martin V. Toombs grew to manhood on his father's farm and during 
the Civil War enlisted at Bethany, Missouri, with Company E, 43rd Regi- 
ment Missouri Volunteers in 1863, and was in service for eight months 
when he was sent home and in August, 1864, volunteered again and served 
until the war closed. He was taken prisoner at Glasgow, Missouri, and 
sent to St. Louis where he was paroled. 

Mr. Tombs was married December 27, 1860, to Eliza Jane Foster, u 
daughter of John and Mary (Malony) Foster of White Oak Township; 
her parents came here October, 1850, and located on a farm which em- 
braces the Foster cemetery. Mrs. Toombs was born near Greenville, 
Tennessee, and was nine years old when they came here. The father 
was a farmer and spent his life here. The father and mother are buried 
in Foster Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Toombs have the following children: Jefferson B., 
who was born October 29, 1861 ; Mai tin V., who was born December 13, 
1863 and died May 1, 1921 ; Ann E., the wife of Eugene Swartz, of New 
Hampton; John J., born February 1, 1869 and died in infancy; Thomas 
and Mary, twins, the former living in Ridgeway, Missouri, and the latter 
the widow of James Foltz; Oscar F., born March 20, 1873 and died in 
infancy ; Oscar Lee, born November 14, 1875 and died at the age of thirteen 
years; William Franklin, born October 20, 1878 and died in infancy; 
Winifred, deceased, born October 11, 1882 and Orpha May, bom Julj^ 15, 
1887 and died at the age of thirteen years ; Martin V. Toombs was mar- 
ried to Bird Fenimore, of White Oak ToAvnship and they lived with his 
father and mother on the home place until his death. 

Mr. and Mrs. Toombs have lived on their present fann of 170 acres 
since the spring of 1866, purchasing the place before the war, at which 
time it was raw prairie. The farm is well improved and gets its name 
from the many pine trees which were set out by Mr. Toombs. Mr. and 
Mrs. Toombs are fine people and have a host of friends throughout the 
county. Mrs. Toombs was seventy-nine years of age April 26, 1921 and 
is a very active woman for her age, as she does all of her housework and 
raises many chickens each year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Toombs have seven grandchildren: Clarence Foltz; 
Mrs. Grace Tucker, wife of Charles Tucker; Arlene Swartz, and Dorothy 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 379 

Swartz, both teachers in Ridgeway; Ruby Swartz, who is a graduate of 
the New Hampton High School of 1921 class ; Thurston Swartz and Orphie 
May Toombs. 



James A. Yates, a leading farmer and extensive land owner of White 
Oak Township, was born near Gallatin, Daviess County, Missouri, August 
26, 1860, the son of Howard L. and Mary Margaret (Bird) Yates. His 
mother was a native of Daviess County and was reared an orphan. She 
died November 25, 1875 at the age of thirty-nine years and is buried at 
Everly Cemetery. Howard L. Yates was born in Rappahannock County, 
Virginia, November 6, 1836 and came to Missouri when eighteen years 
of age by boat, leaving the boat below St. Joseph near Weston where he 
worked for a few years and later he was married in Holt County, Missouri. 
He then moved to Daviess County, Missouri, and cleared and improved 
200 acres of land. He lived there until his death in 1915 and is buried 
at the Brown Cemetery, at Gallatin, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Yates were the parents of the following children: Mrs. 
Nancy Glasscock, of Gallatin, Missouri ; James A., of this sketch ; Mrs. 
Roma E. Hunter, of Gallatin; John E., deceased, who was a druggist at 
New Hampton, Missouri ; Mrs. Alpharetta Chamberlain, of Gallatin; Charles 
G. on the home place ; and Howard, who is in the marble business at Gallatin. 

James A. Yates was educated in the public schools near Gallatin and 
at the age of twenty began railroading and continued in this work for 
eleven years, seven years of which time he was conductor. He resigned 
from railroading at Bentonville, Arkansas, and came to Daviess County, 
Missouri, where he engaged in farming, purchasing 100 acres of land 
which he later sold when he came to Harrison County and settled in White 
Oak Township where he has since lived on his present farm of 160 acres ; 
this farm was the old home place of J. W. Corell who moved here in 1876. 

Besides this land, Mr. Yates owns 485 acres in White Oak and Butler 
townships. There are three sets of improvements on his farms, and the 
residence on the home place is a fine old farm house with beautiful ever- 
green trees in the yard, and the name of the place is "Evergreen" which 
is derived from the trees that were set out in the yard about thirty-eight 
years ago, Mr. Corell planting them on account of his boyhood home in 
Virginia being among the evergreens. Mr. Yates is an extensive feeder 
of cattle and hogs and has fattened as many as four car loads each year. 

Mr. Yates has a wide acquaintance and at one time was a candidate 



380 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

for judge of the southern district of Harrison County, running on the 
Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He is connected with the Farmers 
Bank of New Hampton. 

January 19, 1898, Mr. Yates was married to Ada Virginia Corell, a 
daughter of J. W. and Mary (Sexton) Corell. Her father was born in 
Tazewell County, Virginia, September 19, 1831 and came to Missouri in 
the fall of 1876 and settled, first on the Polk Davis farm in White Oak 
Township, and eighteen months later on the place where Mr. and Mrs. 
Yates now live. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank of 
New Hampton and was its president at the time of his death. He served 
three years in the Confederate army and was with Pickett's division in 
General Lee's army at the time of surrender. Mrs. Yates has the re- 
volver he used and a desk he made and carried while in service. Besides 
being a farmer, Mr. Corell was a cai-penter and was an excellent mechanic. 
He died December 5, 1902 and his wife, who was born in Smith County, 
Virginia, October 17, 1858, died March 13, 1913 and both are buried in 
Shady Grove Cemetery. Their children were Amanda and Robert Lee, the 
latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Yates was born in Tazewell County, Vir- 
ginia, where she also received her education. 

Mr. and Mrs. Yates have six children: Mary Margaret, the wife of 
Garland Arthur, of White Oak Township; James Carl, Iva Jean, Charles 
Bird and Georgia Clingan, all at home. 

Mr. Yates and family are well known in this community, and are 
well respected, useful and substantial citizens. 



Corp. Lemuel Alvin Parks, who was with the famous 35th Division 
during the World War and who is well known in this community, was 
born in Butler Township, May 8, 1894, the son of Marvin Elmer and Laura 
Bell (Stratton) Parks, who live on the home place in Butler Township. 
His mother was born in Butler Township and his father is a native of 
Gentry County. They are the parents of the following children: Lemuel 
Alvin, the subject of this sketch; Benjamin F., of Albany, Missouri; Elmer 
Olin, of Butler Township; Ina May, Irvin Roscoe and Freeman Earl, all at 
home. 

Corp. Lemuel Alvin Parks was educated in the public schools and 
attended the New Hampton High School and after finishing his education 
he assisted in farming at home until he enlisted, May 20, 1917, and was 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 381 

sent to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma. After seven months' training there, 
he went to Camp Mills, New York and was sent overseas April 14, 1918, 
landing at Liverpool, England, and going from there to Romsey, Eng- 
land, where he remained for about twenty days, and then sailed from 
South Hampton for La Havre, France. He spent two months at Monchey, 
France, and then was sent to the Alsace Lorraine sector, where they had 
the first engagement and he was in the trenches about sixty days at 
different times. He was taken prisoner at Meuse Argonne, September 29, 
1918, while holding a brush thicket that was surrounded by Germans. 
Word had been sent to them to retreat but the messenger was killed. 
Corporal Parks was released December 8, 1918. In the Meuse-Argonne, 
only sixty-nine men out of 240 in Company G of the 139th Infantry were 
checked up. 

Mr. Parks returned to the United States April 14, 1919, one year 
after going over and was mustered out at Camp Funston, May 8, 1919, 
after service of nearly two years. Since returning he was with the New 
Hampton Hardware Company for one year, but since July, 1920, he has 
been a mail carrier on R. F. D. No. 2 out of New Hampton. 

Mr. Parks was married August 28, 1921 at Pattensburg, Missouri, to 
Mabel E. Clark. She was born in Washington Township, Harrison County, 
Missouri, and is the daughter of Alfred E. and Anna Clark, who reside 
on their farm on the western outskirts of New Hampton. Mrs. Parks 
received her education in the district schools and in 1919 she graduated 
from the New Hampton schools. Mrs. Parks then taught two years at 
Ricetown, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Parks are now residing at their home 
in White Oak Township one-fourth mile south of New Hampton. 

Mr. Parks is a fine young man, who served his country well and who 
has a bright and promising future. He is energetic and progressive and 
will make a success in life. 



W. Arthur Denny, the senior member of the firm of Denny and Jones 
of New Hampton, who conduct one of the leading stores of this city, is 
well known in the county, having been in business here for the past four- 
teen years. Mr. Denny is a graduate of Central Christian College, having 
finished in 1900, and, after graduation, he taught school in this county, 
prior to spending three years in Chicago in the general offices of the 
Burlington railroad. Following this work, he returned to New Hampton 
and entered the hardware and furniture business with a $4,200.00 stock, 
the firm being known as Magee & Denny at that time, but later was sue- 



382 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ceeded by Denny and Hesseltine, and which is now known as Denny and 
Jones. 

From the first the business was successful, trade grew, and now the 
department store is one of the most complete and large stocks in north 
Missouri, the firm having gradually added different departments until at 
the present time, complete lines are carried in twelve departments, con- 
sisting of dry goods, shoes, clothing, ladies' ready-to-wear, groceries, hard- 
ware, paints, queensware, gents' furnishings, rugs, carpets, etc. The 
store has a large frontage of 195 feet, the floor space comprising 19,800 
feet, which includes basement, main floor and balcony. All of the depart- 
ments are thoroughly stocked, neatly kept and up-to-date. 

W. Arthur Denny was married October 25, 1904, to Margaret Samp- 
son of Albany, Missouri, a daughter of Lewis Sampson and wife. Mrs. 
Denny was bom, reai-ed and educated in Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Denny 
have one child, Charles Lewis, aged eleven years. Mr. Denny takes an 
active part in the aff'airs of New Hampton and is a member of three 
lodges: Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Masonic. 

Charles W. Jones of this firm, who also has a wide acquaintance in 
this vicinity, was born near Martinsville, Missouri, but moved to Okla- 
homa with his parents, James Jones and wife, when a boy and was reared 
and educated there. After finishing college, he began his business career 
as a clerk in a hardware store, but soon returned to New Hampton, where 
he was engaged in the hardware business with his brother. Roe Jones, and 
C. G. Chipp, continuing with this firm for about three years, when the 
present firm of Denny and Jones was organized. 

Mr. Jones married Minnie Jane Pierce of Lawton, Oklahoma, and 
they have one daughter, Mary Jane. 

Mr. Jones belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and is also a Mason and a Shriner. 

By good management and fair dealing, Messrs. Denny and Jones have 
built up an extensive business, and have a host of friends throughout the 
county. Their ideas are progressive, both supporting every movement 
for the welfare of New Hampton. 



Robert E. Maples, cashier of the Bank of New Hampton, at New 
Hampton, Missouri, is thoroughly qualified for the important and re- 
sponsible position which he holds. He has been a stockholder of this 
institution since its organization and is also a director at the present 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 383 

time. He was born near Bolton, Missouri, January 26, 1877, the son of 
John and Anna (Hovverton) Maples; his father was a native of Indiana 
and his mother was born in Knox County, Missouri, and they were mar- 
ried near Bolton, Missouri, but came to this county about 1857 and settled 
in Fox Creek, later moving to Ridgev/ay, about 1882, where he engaged 
in farming until his death in August, 1918 ; his wife died two days later. 
They were the parents of the following children: Walter, of Ridgeway, 
Missouri, and Robert E., the subject of this sketch. 

Robert E. Maples received his education in the Hunt school and fol- 
lowed farming until 1919 in White Oak Township, when he sold his farm 
and moved to New Hampton. He has filled the office of justice of the 
peace of this township and in 1919 was elected assistant cashier of the 
Bank of New Hampton and on August 1, 1921 he became cashier, an office 
which he very capably and efficiently fills. 

August 8, 1900, Mr. Maples was married to Orpha C. Young, a 
daughter of F. B. Young, deceased, and Casandra (Magee) Young; her 
mother lives one mile south of New Hampton and is eighty-four years 
of age. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of the following children: 
Jane, who lives with her mother on the home place ; Colfax, of Wall Lake, 
Iowa ; Harvey, of Oklahoma City ; Reverend Chester, a minister of the 
M. E. church; Susie, the wife of L. D. Dailey; Garner, of New Hampton; 
and Asa, of Oklahoma City. 

Mrs. Robert E. Maples died October 28, 1915 at the age of thirty- 
three at her home in White Oak Township and is buried at Foster 
Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mnples were the parents of two children : Garland and 
Helen, who live with their grandmother, Mrs. F. B. Young. 

Mr. Maples stands high in this community and has many friends. 
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bethany, 
Missouri. 

The Bank of New Hampton was established in 1909 with a capital 
stock of $10,000.00 and with J. W. Kavanaugh acting as the first president 
and John H. Ross the first cashier. The building in which the bank does 
business was constructed in 1909 and is owned by the bank. The capital 
stock has been increased to $15,000.00; the surplus is $5,000.00, and the 
deposits are $85,000.00. The present officers are N. D. Lindsey, presi- 
dent; Roy D. Lindsey, vice-president; R. E. Maples, cashier; H. G. Bloom- 
field, assistant cashier, and W. Johnson, W. J. Cooper, Frank Swartz, 
Albert Miles and J. F. Gibson, directors. 



384 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Joseph Wright, a well known retired farmer and veteran of the Civil 
War, who lives in New Hampton, Missouri, was born in Puloski County, 
Virginia, August 1, 1845, the son of Lorenzo Dow and Margaret (Brook- 
man) Wright. Lorenzo Wright died in Indiana, August 1856, and his 
wife died one and one-half miles southwest of Eagleville, in 1878. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lorenzo Wright were the parents of the following children: 
John of Washington Center; Sebastia of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Joseph, the 
subject of this sketch; and Mi's. Julia Ann Becklehammer, Mrs. Ferbie 
Zimmerman, Mrs. Sarah Burnett, Emmaline A. Robbins, Melinda, and 
Mary Davis all deceased. 

Joseph Wright was educated in the public schools of Indiana and in 
McFall district school in this county. During the Civil War he enlisted 
in August, 1864, in Company E of the 43rd Missouri Infantry under 
Captain Sutton, and was in the Battle at Glasgow, Missouri, where he 
was taken prisoner with six hundred others, including James Neville, 
ex-shei'iff of this county, whose sketch also appears in this volume. Mr. 
Wright was paroled and sent to Brownsville, Missouri and then sent to 
St. Louis, Missouri, where he reentered service. 

Joseph "Wright was married in 1866, to Mary McHenry of Eagle- 
ville, who died in 1878. Thoy v/ere the parents of two children: Melissa 
May, the widow of John Sherrell of Washington Township; and Sarah 
Josephine, the wife of Ulysses Donaldson of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. 
Wright married a second time in 1880 to Mary Smith, a daughter of 
Joseph and Hannah (Jowett) Smith, who came to Harrison County from 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1867, and engaged in farming here. Joseph 
Smith died about 1887, and his wife died in January, 1881, and both 
are buried at Wesley Chapel. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith were the 
parents of the following children: Skirrow, deceased; Abraham of Wash- 
ington Township; Samuel, deceased; all three of whom are veterans of the 
Civil War, enlisting from Indiana County, Pennsylvania, with Company 
F, of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry ; Mrs. Wright, of this sketch ; George 
of Washington Township; John of Washington Township; and Sarah 
E. Graham of Washington Township. 

Mr. Wright has twelve grandchildren and five gi-eat grandchildren. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wright moved to New Hampton in August, 1918, after 
farming in Washington Township for fifty-two years. They are well 
known and highly respected citizens of Harrison County. 




MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH WRIGHT 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 385 

Elijah Albert Carter, an interesting pioneer of Gentry County, Mis- 
Houri, who, for many years was prominently identified with the develop- 
ment of tills county, and who is now living a retired life at New Hampton, 
was born January 13, 1 846, the son of Vincent and Patience (Glendenning) 
Carter. 

Vincent Carter was born January 4, 1814, in Tennessee, and his wife 
was bom in Indiana, March 13, 1821. and they were married February 
28, 1839, coming to Gentry County, Missouri, in 1841, where they entered 
land, owning in all about 200 acres. 

Elijah Carter, the father of Vincent Carter, came with his son to 
Gentry County in 1841 and died here in 1858. Two brothers, John and 
Hiram Cai'ter, and two cousins, Big and Little John Carter and Richard 
Glendenning also located in this county at that time, and, from the 
fam.ilies of the Carters and Glendennings sprang the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Gentry County, their homes being the headquarters for the 
entertainment of the ministers of that church. The first camp meeting, 
in about 1842, was held on the Elijah Carter place, where the Carter Ceme- 
tery was also located. There were about 200 people who attended the 
meeting, coming from Daviess, DeKalb, Nodaway, Gentry and other 
counties, and they generally came in ox wagons and were well supplied 
with provisions which they cooked and ate on the ground. The ministers 
present were Isaac Burns and Noah Richardson, both devoted servants 
of the early church. 

Elijah Carter, grandfather of E. A. Carter, was married in Tennessee 
to Susannah Castle, and they had fifteen children: Elizabeth, Vincent, 
Saleta, Jane, Nancy, Joseph, Katie, John, Sarah, Hiram, Susannah, Nathan, 
Martha, Lewis and Mary, and they also reared two adopted children. Mrs. 
Carter died in 1859. 

The children of Vincent and Patience Carter were: Elizabeth, the 
widow of Wesley Mack, who lives on the home place; William G., of New 
Hampton; Susannah, wife of Jackson Dye, deceased; Elijah Albert, of 
this sketch ; John L., of Gentry County ; Martha, the wife of William 
Clelland, of Harrison County, Missouri; Hiram Franklin on the home 
place; Jane, the wife of Fillmore Needles, who died October 11, 1881, 
leaving two children, James Clelland and Carrie Belle. 

E. A. Carter spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended 
the subscription and public schools, and since growing to manhood, en- 
gaged in farming in Gentry County, continuing in this vocation until about 

(20) 



386 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

1906 when he settled at New Hampton, where he now Hves on six and one- 
half acres which he owns in the west part of town, on which he has a nice 
residence, barn, walks, trees, garden, etc. Prior to locating here, he 
owned 253 acres, on which he had made his home since 1878. He still 
owns eighty acres of this land. 

Mr. Carter was married December 16, 1867 to Martha Stewart, who 
was born June 13, 1862, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Stewart. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Carter, nine children have been born : Laura, the wife of James 
Holden; Mary, who died when five years of age; Jeanette, the wife of 
James Barger, deceased; Samuel, of Emporia, Kansas; Stella, the wife of 
Harry Watts ; Maggie, the wife of Robert C. Holden ; Vincent on the home 
place; Beatrice, the wife of Elmer Scott, and one son who died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carter are now living a pleasant and enjoyable retired 
life, surrounded by their family and friends, who respect and honor them. 
They are members of the Methodist church. 

Mr. Carter has a vivid memory of the early happenings in Gentry 
County and relates many interesting incidents of pioneer days. He says 
that his father used to haul cured bacon to St. Joseph, which he sold for 
two and one-half cents per pound, slaughtering from forty to fifty hogs 
at one time, which it took two years to grow, as they let them run in the 
woods and a little corn was fed to them in the winter only. 

Mr. Carter was born one mile east and one mile south of Lone Star 
in a log cabin and the clapboards of this cabin were held on with weight 
poles, as no nails were available. Chinkin were held in place between the 
logs with mortar made of mud and the puncheon floor was made of slabs 
split and hewn; the hearth was made of mud, stone and sticks with a 
mud chimney. The cabin was built on 160 acres of land which his father 
had preempted at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Carter says his father began life 
on this place with one horse, one yoke of steers, one cow, a wife and one 
baby, one wagon and one dog, but that nearly every other man in the 
neighborhood had from six to eight hounds, or dogs. 

In those days farming implements were very crude and the breaking 
plows which were made by the blacksmiths were pulled by three or four 
yokes of steers. 

Mr. Carter says that the only schooling he received was in a log cabin, 
made similar to the one in which he was born, and that one log was left 
out across one end and greased paper was used for window lights. The 
teachers in those days did not believe in "sparing the rod and spoiling 
the child." 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 387 

The first postoffice and gristmill were in the southern part of Gentry- 
County and it cost twenty-five cents in those days for postage for letters, 
the government collecting from the receiver. 

Grain was cut with a hooked sickle and pounded out with sticks called 
flails and the chaff was blown out by the wind. The flour was ground 
at the mills, but had to be bolted by hand before using and the corn was 
soaked to soften it and then grated for meal. Biscuits were a luxury, 
only to be had on Sunday. All the cooking was done in the fire place. 

Flax and hemp were raised and the fiber spun into cloth and the 
mother would card the wool and also spin it into yarn and weave it into 
cloth and then make the clothing for the entire family; she often worked 
until eleven or twelve o'clock at night. The father made the shoes for 
the family and also for the neighbors. 

On Sunday, the family walked to church or else rode in an ox team 
wagon and all of the children went barefoot in season until they were 
about twelve years of age. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Carter started in life they rented land and owned 
a span of three year old colts and a second hand harness. They had four 
sheep and one dozen hens apiece. The second year after their marriage 
they bought forty-five acres of land, going in debt for it, later trading 
this farm for 120 acres near Locust Grove schoolhouse, also going in debt 
for the diff"erence in price. By hard work and thrift, they finally owned 
252 acres of land on which they lived until they moved to New Hampton. 



J. E. Goble, the efiicient and enterprising manager of the Matkins 
Mercantile Company of Matkins, Missouri, is a native of Butler Township, 
Harrison County, born November 20, 1882, the son of J. W. and Mary 
(Jeffries) Goble, the former having died in 1915 and is buried in Matkins 
Cemetery and the latter now living on the home place in Butler Township. 

J. W. Goble was a native of Indiana, bom near Shelbyville, but moved 
with his parents to Iowa, finally locating in Gentry County, Missouri, 
where they purchased land. Mrs. Goble was born and reared in Gentry 
County. She and her husband had the following children: Harvey, who 
married Florence Thrasher and who died in Oklahoma at the age of forty 
years; Roy Bert, who married Nellie Heath and who, together with two 
children Herbert and Clifford, all died with the flue within four days of 
one another in October, 1918; a third child. Bertha Ellen, is being reared 



388 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

by Mr, and Mrs. J. E. Goble; J. E. Goble, the subject of this sketch; Belva 
Ann, the wife of Charles Pettit, of Butler Township ; Walter C, who died 
with the flu in South Dakota, October 17, 1918. His widow and three 
children, Curtis, Olin and Azalee, live in Butler Township; and Homer, 
of Butler Township, who married Esta Salmon and who have two children, 
Vonetha and Vivera. 

J. E. Goble spent his boyhood days in Oklahoma and in this county, 
attending school in both places. He entered the mercantile business in 
Oklahoma when a young man and remained there for one year, then de- 
ciding to accept the position as manager for the Thomas store at Matkins, 
holding this place for eight years, when he became manager for Scott and 
Morgan, which position he now very acceptably fills. This is a genera) 
store, carrying dry goods, groceries, hardware and shoes, and they also 
purchase country produce of all kinds. Mr. Goble possesses the excellent 
qualifications which enable him to be a first class manager of this store 
and the success of the business is largely due to his faithful efforts and 
initiative ability. 

Mr. Goble was married February 7, 1909 to Leona Shaughnessy, a 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brown) Shaughnessy. Her father 
is deceased and her mother is now living in California. Mrs. Goble has 
a twin sister, Leora, the wife of George McDaniels, and also has four 
brothers: Fred, Morris, Matt and Clifford Shaughnessy; and two sisters: 
Mrs. Judea Jackson, deceased; and Mrs. Carrie Konomos, or Dubuque, 
Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Goble have three children: Edna, Alvin and Goldie. 
Mr. Goble is a member of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Goble is inter- 
ested in all affairs pertaining to the community welfare. 

A few years before the Civil War, a Presbyterian Church with Masonic 
hall above, was built at Matkins, but this building was burned during the 
war, and the next church that was built was the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, which was erected in 1875, and which was also destroyed 
by fire in 1895, and an attempt was made at the same time to destroy the 
Thomas store. The church, which is the only church in Matkins, was 
rebuilt in 1895. 



William W. Adams, the proprietor of Center Valley Farm, is one of 
the successful farmers and stockmen of Butler Township, and a descend- 
ant of a leading pioneer family of Gentry County. He was born May 11, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 389 

1863, the son of William and Delila (Wood) Adams, both natives of Illi- 
nois, where they were married. They came to Missouri about 1855 via 
ox team and settled in the northeast part of Gentry County, where Mr. 
Adams entered forty acres of land, which he eventually sold and pur- 
chased 100 acres. He served in the State Militia during the Civil War 
and died about 1893, and his wife died in 1908 ; both are buried in Lone 
Star Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mra. 
Mary Hunter or Dallas Township; Mrs. Matilda Spillman of Worth County; 
John, who died in 1917; Willis, who lives near the home place in Gentry 
County ; William W., of this sketch ; Mrs. Lizzie Groom of Gentry County ; 
and Mrs. Lorella Shofner, of Union Star, Missouri; and Charles F. ana 
Delia, both on the home place in Gentry County. 

William W. Adams attended the Gentry County schools during his 
boyhood days, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, leaving at the 
age of twenty-four years, when he rented land in Gentry, Worth and 
Harrison counties, and, after five years, he bought a small farm of fifty 
acres southwest of Bethany, which he sold five years later and bought 
174 acres, now a part of the home place of 254 acres, which is located 
one-half mile from Matkins and six miles south of New Hampton. This 
place has been improved by Mr. Adams, he having a good residence. He 
built three barns, cement silo, 14x32 feet, and, at the present time, the 
farm is one of the best improved in the community. The water, which 
is excellent, is piped to the feed lots and pumped by a windmill. Mr. 
Adams does geneial farming and raises Shropshire sheep, cattle and 
hogs. He began life with the proper energetic spirit and his good farm 
and home, and the respect with which he is held is the result of his own 
efforts applied in the right manner. 

Mr. Adams was married August 14, 1887, to Mary A. Dotson, a 
daughter of Noah and Serelda (Smith) Dotson, both of whom are de- 
ceased. Her father was a native of Iowa and died in Butler Township, 
Harrison County, and her mother, who was born in Harrison County, 
died near Bethany, where she is buried. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dotson were the parents of the following children: Mrs. 
Adams ; Lafayette, of Tulsa, Oklahoma ; Alice, of Gentry County ; Sarah 
Susan Roush, of Enid, Oklahoma; Charlie, of Arizona; J. E., of southern 
Missouri ; Willie, of Denver, Colorado ; and Ona, deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Adams have seven children, as follows: Francis Lee, 
who married Mabel Lewis, of Colorado ; William Seth, who died at the age 



390 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of twenty-two years ; Laura A., the wife of Ross Arthur, of Buffalo, Kan- 
sas ; Nora D., the wife of Preston Watson, of Butler Township ; Cora, the 
wife of Walter Parks, of Butler Township; Stella, at home; and Cecil 
Clifton, also at home and who has just finished two years in the high 
school at New Hampton. 

The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Adams are: Thelma, Pauline and 
Wilbur Adams; Clevtis, Keith and Evanelle Watson; Kenneth Parks and 
B. E. Arthurs. 

Mr. Adams has also found time, aside from his personal duties, to 
assist in the affairs of the township, having been justice of the peace 
for four years, a member of the township board and clerk of the school 
board. He is also a member of the New Hope Baptist Church and the 
Woodmen of the World. 

The Adams family is one of the representative families of this county 
and highly esteemed by all. 



Marvin L. Thomas, a leading citizen of Butler Township, and who, 
until September, 1919, had been engaged in the mercantile business, is 
a native of this township and descended from one of the pioneer families 
of this section, whose members took a prominent part in the development 
and opening up of this locality. He is the only child born to D. S. and 
Sallie E. Thomas, the former a native of North Carolina, born October 16, 
1841, but his father, D. M. Thomas, moved two years later to Butler 
Township and entered land three miles south of Matkins. He died May, 
1862, and is buried near the Big Spring, southwest of Matkins. 

D. S. Thomas was married in Maryland, September 25, 1866, to Sallie 
E. Elliott, daughter of Vachel A. and Elizabeth A. Elliott, of Anne Arun- 
del County, Maryland. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Con- 
federate Army September 1, 1861, having the distinction of bemg the 
first one to volunteer from Butler Township. Two others enlisted, but 
neither of them ever returned. Mr. Thomas enlisted with Company G, 
First Missouri Cavalry, under Colonel Elijah Gates, and was in the battles 
of Blue Mill Landing, Siege of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Edwards Station 
and Champion Hills. He was captured May 17, 1863, at Big Black, Missis- 
sippi, and was in prison at Fort Delaware until August, 1863, when he 
was transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, and was paroled in the 
spring of 1864, where he remained until August, 1870. He then came 
to Butler Township and lived on a farm formerly owned by his father 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 391 

until March, 1878. His wife died September 1, 1911, and is buried at 
Matkins Cemetery. D. S. Thomas was a strong member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, uniting in 1859. He was superintendent of a 
Sunday school in Maryland for four years and served in this capacity in 
Missouri from 1871 to 1903, when he resigned on account of poor health, 
but performed this office again from 1906 to 1912. 

Marvin L. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, and is a member of the official board of the Methodist Church at 
Matkins, Missouri. 

Mr. Thomas is a Democrat and has been active in political affairs, 
thereby gaining many warm friends throughout the county. With the 
exception of two years, he has been county committeeman of the Demo- 
cratic party since 1898. He was alternate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Baltimore when Woodrow Wilson was nominated and also 
attended the national conventions at St. Louis in 1916 and at San Fran- 
cisco in 1920, and was a delegate to the State Judicial Convention at St. 
Joseph in 1904, and at Excelsior Springs in 1906. Mr. Thomas received 
his education in the district schools and also attended Northwest Missouri 
College, now known as Palmer College, at Albany, Missouri. The ma- 
tf^rnal great-grandfather of M. L. Thomas was a Revolutionary soldier and 
was at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered, and was also a veteran of 
the War of 1812. His maternal grandmother, Elizabeth A. Lee, was 
related to General Robert E. Lee, the famous Confederate general. 

Mr. Thomas is a man of excellent literary attainments, a keen ob- 
server and reader of events, and is well posted in the history of his town- 
ship, recalling vividly the older settlers. The first store in the town of 
Matkins was started in 1878 by Joseph Tague, and in 1879 D. S. Thomas 
formed a partnership with Mr. Tague under the name of Tague and 
Thomas, which partnership continued for one year, when Mr. Thomas 
and S. D. Whitely organized a store here, erecting a new building. They 
were in business together until 1886, when Mr. Thomas bought Mr. 
Whitely's interest and continued in business by himself until 1893, when 
M. L. Thomas became partner. D. S. Thomas died March 5, 1917, and the 
business was continued by his son, Marvin L. Thomas, until September 15, 
1919, when he sold the stock and rented the store building and fixtures. 

The first doctor to locate in Matkins was Doctor Mohler, who lived 
here only a short time, and in 1886 Dr. J. W. Cavanaugh began practicing 
in this vicinity and continued until 1892, when Dr. E. D. Rathburn came 



392 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

here and lived until 1896. Other doctors who practiced here were Dr. 
H. P. Yeater, from 1893 to 1895 ; Dr. G. T. Walker, from 1896 to 1898 ; 
Doctor Forbes, Doctor Funk and Doctor Wilson, the last named leaving 
in May, 1912, and since that time there has been no doctor here. 

A. B. Akes was the first blacksmith, locating here in 1880, but left 
three years later. The present blacksmith is William Duncan. 

D. S. Thomas was the first and only postmaster at Matkins, this 
office having been discontinued on June 29, 1907. D. S. Thomas was 
justice of the peace and member of the Township Board from 1881 to 
1891. He served as school director and district clerk from 1882 to 1891. 



John T. Green, successful farmer and stockman and proprietor of 
Green's Hereford Farm, in White Oak Township, was born on the farm 
adjoining the farm where he now lives, August 4, 1871, the son of 
Marcus L. and Frances (Johnson) Green. 

Marcus Green was born in Clay County, Missouri, June 15, 1838, 
and died on his home place in White Oak Township, April 11, 1913, and 
is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery. His wife was born in this county and 
died in 1872 and is buried in White Oak Cemetery. They were the par- 
ents of the following children: Martha E. Thomas of Omaha, Nebraska; 
Nancy, who lives on the home place and John T., the subject of this 
sketch. Marcus L. Green was married a second time to Nancy E. Dot- 
son, who lives on the home place. To the second marriage, were born 
three children: Mary Arthur of White Oak Township; Charlie and 
Joseph Green of White Oak Township. 

Marcus Green was a veteran of the Civil War of Company B, 23rd 
Missouri Cavalry, and was wounded at the time of Price's raid, having 
been shot through the left breast and left for dead. He recovered and 
lived to be seventy-five years of age. 

John T. Green was educted in the county schools and attended the 
Stanberry Normal School for two terms, and, after finishing his educa- 
tion, he engaged in farming and stock raising which he has followed 
ever since. He bought eight-nine acres of his present farm in 1899, for 
$22.50 per acre and two years later bought sixty acres for $20.00 per 
acre, and in 1917, purchased sixty additional acres for $100.00 per acre, 
and in 1921 he acquired 160 acres more, making a total of 369 acres in 
his present farm, which is situated on the Jefferson Highway, three 
miles east of New Hampton. 




JOHN" T. GREEN 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 393 

Mr. Green has remodeled his recidence, built a silo and barn and 
made other improvements. He also has two tenant houses on the place, 
and the farm is well watered. Mr. Green has been raising Hereford 
cattle for about nineteen years, and has one of the best males in this 
part of the country. He also raises 0. I. C. hogs, draft horses and mules, 
and is considered as one of the most practical and successful farmers 
in this county. 

Mr. Green also takes an active part in the affairs of the county and 
has served as collector and constable three different times; the first time 
he served as collector, he was only twenty-one years old, and served four 
years, and was elected the second time, but afterward refused to run 
again. 

Mr. Green was married the first time in 1895 to Delia May Dotson. 
She died in 1898, leaving a daughter, Delia May, who is at home with her 
father. He married the second time to Rebecca Brooks, June 13, 1901, 
and she died May 5, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Green reared an orphan boy, 
Paul Kinder, who lives with Mr. Green on the home place. 

Mr. Green is an enterprising farmer and a leader in the affairs of 
the community. 



Stacy G. Youngman, one of the successful farmers and stock raisers 
of Butler Township, who has made his home on his present farm ever 
since he was seven years of age, with the exception of two years spent 
in Colorado, was born in Worth County, Missouri, October 26, 1869, tne 
son of Jacob and Rachel (Cart) Youngman. His father was a native of 
Kentucky, but moved to Iowa early in life, where he lived until 1865, v/hen 
he came to Worth County, Missouri, and followed farming there, owning 
a farm of 100 acres near Denver, Missouri. He came to Butler Township 
in 1876, purchasing 260 acres of land, 160 acres of which he owned at the 
lime of his death, in 1903, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife 
was a native of Virginia and they were married in Iowa. She died at the 
age of sixty-nine years, in 1912, and both she and her husband are buried 
at Matkins, Missouri. Jacob Youngman was quite a Whig politician, but 
affiliated wth the Republican party at its organization. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Youngman were the parents of the following 
children: Nellie, who died at the age of twenty years; Harry L., who died 
when twenty-seven years old; Stacy G., the subject of this sketch; C. F., 



394 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a farmer in Butler Township; Jacob 0., a farmer of White Oak Township: 
Edward E., a railroad inan of Enid, Oklahoma; Irvin U., who died when 
twenty-two years of age; William A., a farmer in Gentry County; Katie 
Pearl, the wife of William E. Gray, of Butler Township. They are the 
parents of one daughter, Lois Margery. William Gray served in the late 
World War, enlisting at Bethany, Missouri. He was sent to Camp Dodge, 
May 24, 1918, thence to New York and went overseas August 16, 1918, 
with the Eighty-eighth Division. He arrived in England August 27, 1918, 
and went immediately. to France, and, in September, was sent to the front 
with Company C of the 351st Infantry. He was near Metz at the time 
the armistice was signed. While in France he was in a hospital at Gcnde- 
court with influenza and was returned with a casualty list May 25, 1919 
and was mustered out at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, June 13, 1919. 

By a former marriage of Jacob Youngman, he had the following 
children: Mrs. Elizabeth Ainslie, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Alice Mock, of Cali- 
fornia; Lewis Youngman, of Kansas City, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Tull, of 
Butler Township, and Miss Carrie Youngman, the address of whom is 
unknown. 

Stacy G. Youngman was educated in Butler Township, and has fol- 
lowed farming and stock raising all of his life. He lives on the home 
farm of 160 acres which he and his sister, Mrs. Gray own. This place 
is one mile west of Matkins and is a well improved farm. Most of the 
farm is in pasture. 

Mr. Youngman takes a keen interest in the various movements which 
tend to upbuild and better the community and has filled the office of clerk 
and assessor, holding these positions for eleven years and was trustee for 
two years. He performed the duties of office very faithfully and has 
many friends who hold him in high esteem. 



Charles A. Miller, the capable and well known prosecuting attorney 
of Harrison County, Missouri, was born December 26, 1889, the son of 
Judson D. and Myrtle D. Miller, a further sketch of whom appears else- 
where in this volume. 

Charles Miller received his education in the public schools of the 
county and was graduated from the Maryville State Teachers College in 
1911. He then entered the Kansas City School of Law and was gradu- 
ated in the class of 1913 and was admitted to the bar. While attending 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 395 

school, Mr. Miller taught school for six years, teaching three years in 
Harrison County, Missouri. He was principal of the schools at Missouri 
City for two years and superintendent of the schools at North Kansas 
City, Missouri for three years. In 1913, he began the practice of his 
profession in North Kansas City, but located in Bethany in 1919, and 
made the race for county attorney in 1920. He was elected and is now 
serving his first term. 

Mr. Miller is an able conscientious young attorney and is meeting 
with well merited success. 

April 21, 1911, Mr. Miller was married to Virdie A. Webb, a daughter 
of James B. Webb and wife of Clay County, Missouri. She was educated 
at Maryville State Teachers College. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a son, 
Leroy, and daughter, Laverne. 

Mr. Miller is affiliated with the following lodges: Masonic, Knights 
of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 



C. A. Rowland, proprietor of the Rowland Mercantile Company, of 
Bethany, and well known in this section as a prosperous business man, 
was born in Daviess County, Missouri, November 28, 1879, the son of 
S. C. and Helen (Smith) Rowland ; the former now is living in St. Joseph, 
Missouri, and is connected with the Rock Island Railway Company, and 
the latter died in Daviess County August 11, 1883 at the age of thirty 
years, and is buried in Black Cemetery. C. A. Rowland is the only one 
living of three children born to his parents, the other two being Nellie, 
who was born in 1876 and died in 1881, and Bamett, who was bom in 
1875 and died in 1880. By a later marriage of S. C. Rowland to Eliza- 
beth McSparren, two children were born: Frank, who is manager of the 
hat department of McGee Brothers, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Elizabeth, 
who attends school in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The grandfather of C. A. Rowland, who was born January 8, 1797 
and died January 12, 1877, was prominently identified in the early history 
of Daviess County, Missouri, he having been one of the earliest settlers 
of this county, and lived near Old Victoria. He took an active part in 
political issues of pioneer days and was a Democrat. His wife, Nancy 
Rowland, was born in 1813 and died May 12, 1877. Anderson Smith, 
the maternal grandfather of C. A. Rowland was born January 19, 1813 
and died April 19, 1876 in Daviess County and his wife, Mahalla Smith, 



396 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

was born December 11, 1817 and died November 16, 1888. All of the 
above are buried in Black Cemetery near Winston in Daviess County, 
Missouri. 

C. A. Rowland received his education in the public schools of Gallatin, 
Missouri, and, after finishing his education, he engaged in the grocery 
business in this town, and afterward was with a general store at the same 
place in which work he continued until he began operating a general store 
at New Hampton with M. A. Higgins. He was also associated with H. B. 
Henton in the mercantile business at New Hampton for a few years. Dur- 
ing his seventeen years in New Hampton, Mr. Rowland was very success- 
ful, but, in July, 1920, he saw broader fields in Bethany where he decided 
to locate and consequently bought out the D. T. Deal stock, and since 
he has established his business in this city he has continued to meet with 
success and his store is the center of trade for groceries, ladies' ready- 
to-wear, dry goods and gent's ready-to-wear, and, in each line, a complete 
stock is carried. The store, which presents a very attractive appearance, 
has a frontage of sixty feet on Main street and 100 feet depth, one of 
the best location in the city. 

Mr. Rowland married Stella Virden, a daughter of J. H. Virden, of 
New Hampton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. Rowland 
was born in White Oak Township, received her preliminary education in 
the public schools of the county and later attended Liberty Ladies Col- 
lege at Liberty, Missouri. 

Although Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have been in Bethany only a short 
time, they have won the esteem of the residents of the city, as well as 
those of surrounding territory and stand high in the community. 



S. L. Maize, a well known and successful farmer of Bethany Town- 
ship, and member of a pioneer family of this county, was born in Cypress 
Township, three miles from where he now lives, on the J. R. Maize farm. 
J. R. Maize, who died on October 9, 1921, at the age of ninety-nine years, 
two months and four days, entered this farm in 1840. He came to Mis- 
souri from Illinois when he was seventeen years old and was accompanied 
by his cousin, Asaph Butler and wife. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Maize were the parents of the following children: 
Mrs. Catherine Van Meter, deceased; George, of Coffey, Missouri; Robert 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 397 

J., who died in St. Johns, Kansas; S. L., the subject of this sketch; W. R., 
who died on the home place; Martha Ann, widow of S. P. Daniel of Har- 
rison County, Missouri; H. T., of Cypress Township; and Jesse, who died 
in infancy. 

S. L. Maize was educated in the pubUc schools of Cypress Township 
and remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he went to 
Butler Township, where he lived for eight years. He then sold his farm 
there and moved to his present home about 1890, buying at that time 
110 acres, but later adding forty additional acres, making a total of 150 
acres in the home place. Mr. Maize has made all of the improvements 
on the farm, consisting of good residence, two barns, fences, etc. About 
thirty-five acres is bottom land, and 125 acres is under cultivation. Mr. 
Maize does general farming and stock raising and is very successful. 

November 16, 1882, Mr. Maize was married to Effie J. Slaughter, a 
daughter of M. B. and Martha Ann (Hawk) Slaughter, who live in Bethany 
Township and pioneer settlers of this county, locating here prior to the 
Civil War. 

Mr. and Mrs. Maize are the parents of six children: Milton, of 
Bethany Township, who married Josie Atterbury; Fi'ank, who lives with 
his grandfather Slaughter, married Essie Clark; Martha Oval, the wife 
of C. B. Baker, of Center, Colorado; S. Irlin, who married Hazel Clark of 
Bethany Township ; Lois, who lives at home and is in her second year 
at Bethany High School. 

Mr. Maize has always taken an active part in the affairs of his town- 
ship and has many friends. He is at present a member of the township 
board of Bethany Township. He has been on the school board at different 
times for eleven years and has also served as justice of the peace. Mr. 
Maize and family are highly respected citizens. 



John R. Maize, now deceased, was a prominent citizen of Cypress 
Township, and rightfully called "The Pioneer" of Harrison County, was 
born in Jackson County, Alabama, August 5, 1822, the son of David and 
Catherine (Acree) Maize and died in Cypress Township October 9, 1921, 
at the advanced age of ninety-nine years, two months and four days. 

John Maize came to Harrison County, Missouri, in the spring of 
1839 with Asaph M. Butler and entered the land where he died in 1849, 



398 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and made this his home to the time of his death. Mr. Maize had an ex- 
cellent memory and could relate many interesting incidents relative to 
pioneer days up to within a short time before his death. The following 
people lived here when he first came: John Field, Levi Field, William 
Robinson and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor lived near the present site of 
Bethany Mills on the north side of the creek, and he was the only man 
living between the Maize home and Bethany. Edward Hunt, Joe Hunt 
and Hudson Lowe lived south of Mr. Maize. Mr. Maize built a 16 x 18 
foot hewed log house near the site of the present bam. He owned 120 
acres of land at time of his death but did own more, which has been dis- 
tributed among his children. He entered this land from the government 
and it never had a mortgage on it. 

Mr. Maize located here before there were any mills and they pounded 
out their corn with a log mortar set on end, and chopped or burned out, 
then put in a pint of corn and pounded it out with an iron wedge. The 
corn was then sifted, the coarsest used for hominy and the finest for 
meal. He drove oxen up until he was twenty-two years of age, making 
trips to Liberty, Missouri. The first sawmill built in Daviess County was 
by a Mr. Watson and later the Hunts built a sawmill near Bridgport, and 
also put in a gristmill. The wheat was tramped out by horses, which were 
ridden by boys, and ofttimes as many as six horses were used at one 
time. Mr. Maize was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years and he 
began working for Asaph Butler and received $100.00 for four years' 
work, and he put this money in land he had entered. All of the clothing 
that Mr. Maize wore at that time was home spun and home made. He 
received his mail at Gallatin, Missouri, when he first came here and paid 
"two bits" for the privilege, as the charges for delivery on postage was 
twenty-five cents, payable by the recipient. A twin brother, Robert Maize, 
lived in Schuyler County received a letter at one time and didn't have the 
"two bits", so the postmaster being kindly disposed, let him have the 
letter on his promise to pay soon and two weeks afterward, Robert Maize 
walked thirteen miles to pay the quarter. 

The brothers and sisters of John R. Maize are all deceased; they are 
as follows: Sarah, the wife of George Bridwell; William, Abraham, 
Ephraim, Robert, David G., Betsey, Henry and Martha. 

The father of John R. Maize was buried in Vermillion County, Illinois 
and his Avife is buried in Lawrence County, Indiana. 

John Maize had many friends in this county and was one of the 
most honored and respected citizens. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 399 

Francis Marion Clark, a capable farmer of Butler Township, was 
born at Matkins, Missouri, August 3, 1857, the son of Benjamin F. and 
Sallie Druitt Halloway Clark, both natives of Kentucky who located in 
Butler Township, Harrison County in 1857, where Benjamin Clark owned 
200 acres of land and did general farming. Benjamin Clark died in 1873 
and his wife died about 1903, both are buried in Gentry County in Fallas 
Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Clark were the parents of the following chil- 
dren : William, deceased ; Ben P., deceased ; Mrs. Lucinda Glover of Saloam, 
Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bush, deceased; Joseph and James, twins, the former 
now lives at Montevista, Colorado and the latter on the home place; 
Charles of Colorado; and Francis Marion, of this sketch. By his first 
marriage, Benjamin Clark had one child, Eliza Powers, deceased, and by 
his second marriage, he had three children : John, who died at New Hamp- 
ton ; Jennie was married to Gip Taylor, deceased £ind Mi's. Catherine Clark, 
deceased. 

Francis Marion Clark was educated in the public schools here, his 
first teacher being Tazewell Morris, and he has lived in Butler Township 
all of his life. He moved to his present farm in 1877, at which time, he 
owned but forty acres, but he now owns 247 acres all in one piece, located 
one mile north of Matkins. The improvements were put on by him, and 
they include residence, three barns, tenant houses, etc. He and his sons 
do general farming and stock raising. 

Francis Marion 'Clark was married November 14, 1877 to Elizabeth 
Wright, a daughter of James and Nancy (Mothersead) Wright, both de- 
ceased. James Wright died in 1896 in Gentry County, and his wife died 
about 1865. Both were natives of Kentucky and came to Gentry County 
in the 50's. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of the following children: 
Mrs. Melvina Harmon, deceased; Mrs. Mildred Bush, deceased; Dallas, 
deceased ; Mrs. Lucy Crosswhite ; Mrs. Rebecca Sampson ; Mrs. Katie Vance ; 
Mrs. Fannie Crosswhite and Nannie, all deceased; Nathaniel of Canada; 
Willis of Nebraska and Mrs. Clark. 

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Clark are the parents of the following children : 
Verdo Luella, the wife of Robert Van Meter of near Bridgeport; Delia 
Pearl Green, of White Oak Township; Mary Waneta Nickerson of New 
Hampton ; Susan Pearl Vance of Butler Township ; Cleo Cecil, who lives at 
home ; Beatrice, deceased ; Homer Nathaniel, who lives at home and Desda 
Delavan, deceased. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 
400 

' Mvc riavk are- Avis Adram, Dale, Olin, 
The grandchildren of Mr ana Mis. Clakare^ ^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ 

Marian, Elizabeth Lillian ^-^^^^'/i" J,".^ p^powe'u, Willie, Loneva, John, 

Z\TZ Physical exaniination -d — ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ,,,, 

Francis Marion Clark is a "^^^^^^^^ ° ^ ^^ ntics he votes the 



he is an Elder. 



Kinkade. r^^nntv about the year 1853 and, 

George Kmkade located m Daviess ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^, .^uth 

in 1856, came to Harnson County and -"J^f ;~;; ,, ,,Meh occurred 
of Bethany, where he and h- wif e hved unt^l the^r d^a . ^^^^^^^ ^^^_ 

in the year 1874, and ^"^ ,^^-/ ^tJ^^^^^^^^^ and paid off the 
trol of the home and reared and educatea xn ^^^ ^^^ 

n^ortgage. George I^nkade ^'^^^^^^^''^i^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ 

during the Civil War, and was a "^'"f/l^''^ ^he Civil War. He 
and John Kinkade, his ^-thersservdan^ through t 

was a Presbyterian and was an eldei ^^ Be^^^^^ ^^^^.^ ^ ^ee and at one 

When he was a young man he ^"^^.^^'^jf ,^;7 ..dieally differed in 

S;^irC^-r- ^. trS U. ne taug. school 

^n;:. CTMrOeorge Kinkade ^ 2^:^^ T^^^^ 
dren: James M., the -^^^-^^^J Jf^.^f g Patton; Rosa, the wife of 
Thomas F. Rowlosson; Mary, the ^^ife c)t J-^ ^^^ ^^^i^ess 

John King of Colby. Washington; ^^1 -- ^-^ J^^^ ;^^ ,, ^os Angeles, 
at Delaware, Oklahoma; Emma, the wife of George Ua 



o 




in 



> 

D 
K 




HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 401 

California; Robert, a farmer near Coffey, Missouri; and Ruth, the wife 
of the Rev. J. W. McGee of Warrensburg, Missouri. 

James M. Kinkade was married October 24, 1894, to Naomi J. Virden, 
a daughter of John W. and Caroline Delight (Black) Virden. John Virden 
was the first settler of White Oak Township, coming hei'e in 1839 and 
settled on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Kinkade now live, he having 
homesteaded this place. John Virden was a strong supporter of the Pres- 
byterian Church, his home being the headquarters for the ministers in 
the early days. He was one of the largest contributors to the building of 
the Foster church. He was a member at New Hampton, where he was 
an elder. He was one of the first elders of the church at New Hampton. 
When he came here he went seven miles to get fire, there being no matches. 
He was a strong Union man. He served as school commissioner of Har- 
rison County at an early day. 

James M. Kinkade taught school in the county for twelve years, his 
first school being at old Mitchelville, which he taught in 1875. While 
teaching school, he cared for the family of orphan children at home, the 
youngest of whom was his sister, Ruth. 

Mr. Kinkade is an extensive land owner, owning 560 acres of land, 
117 acres in Bethany Township and the remainder in White Oak Township. 
He only farms 200 acres, his home place, and rents out the other acreage. 
The present residence was built in the early '40s, but has been remodeled, 
although the old original fireplace is still intact. 

Mr. Kinkade was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
for many years. He and a few others held the lodge together for many 
years and eventually this became one of the best lodges in northwest 
Missouri. 

Mr. Kinkade is connected with the Farmers Bank of New Hampton. 
He has always been a Republican and served two terms as county clerk 
of Harrison County. He also served as collector two terms, and lived in 
Bethany when county clerk. The family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kinkade had two children: Virden V., a senior at the 
Synodical College at Fulton, Missouri, taking a special course in elocution ; 
and Ruth Alma, a teacher in the public schools at Kansas City, Missouri. 
She is a graduate of high school at New Hampton, Lindenwood College and 
Boulder, Colorado, in University of Colorado. 

(21) 



402 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

J. M. Scott, an enterprising and well known farmer of Cypress Town- 
ship, and member of a pioneer family of Harrison County, was born in 
this township, July 16, 1875, the son of James R. and Rosanna (Maloney) 
Scott. 

James R. Scott was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 27, 
1836, and died May 23, 1921 at the age of eighty-five years, one month 
and twenty-six days. He came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1856, 
with his parents and during the Civil War served three years and eight 
months in Company I, 1st Missouri Cavalry under Capt. Milton Burris. 
Mr. Scott was married at Peoria, Illinois, in August, 1865, to Rosanna 
Maloney, who died April 29, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. James Scott were the 
parents of the following children: Mrs. Fannie Burris of Harrison 
County; Mrs. Sadie Cox, of Butler, Missouri; Mrs. Mary Read, of Har- 
rison County; Mrs. Dove Annis Joyce, of Hairison County; Mrs. Addie 
Conway, of Daviess County ; J. M. Scott, the subject of this sketch ; Wil- 
liam, deceased ;and Effie Tilley, deceased. James R. Scott was a man of 
high standing in his neighborhood. He possessed a cheerful disposition 
and spoke a good word for his neighbors and friends and was loved by all 
with whom he came in contact. 

J. M. Scott was educated in the public schools of this county and 
has lived here all of his life. For the past twelve years he has farmed 
the home place, which consists of 200 acres of upland and second bottom. 
Mr. Scott does general farming and stock raising and is very successful. 

J. M. Scott was married February 11, 1909 to Nora Phillips, daughter 
of G. L. and Ida (Munson) Phillips, both deceased. Thomas Munson, 
grandfather of Mrs. Scott, was born June 22, 1819, in Nicholas County, 
Kentucky, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, who was 
a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, died in Bethany, in 1912, and 
both she and her husband are buried in Munson Cemetery. Thomas Mun- 
son came to Missouri in early life, and lived in Carroll County for a short 
time, and then returned to Kentucky. He moved to Harrison County in 
1851 and bought 500 acres of land near Bethany, the present site of the 
fair grounds and the sanitarium. He sold this land in 1892 to the Bethany 
Improvement Company and then lived in Bethany until his death, which 
occurred in 1907. 

G. L. Phillips, the father of Mrs. Scott, was born in Dumsville, 
Essex County, Virginia, September 15, 1853, and died July 27, 1912. 
His wife died November 19, 1918, and they are both buried in Munson 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 403 

Cemetery. G. L. Phillips was a hardware merchant, and came to Bethany, 
August 9, 1873. He worked in the dry goods store of Blackman and 
Newman for awhile, and in 1875, he, with Frank Woodruff and J. P. 
Hamilton, as silent partners, started a hardware store. Mr. Phillips 
bought out Woodruff's interest in 1877 and the firm became known as 
J. P. Hamilton and Company. Mr. Phillips was appointed postmaster of 
Bethany under Grover Cleveland in 1884 and then sold out his interest 
in the store to Mr. Hamilton. In 1890, he and Mr. Storm bought out the 
M. A. Ford and Company Hardware, and later bought the stock of Hamil- 
ton and Stubbs, and then Mr. Phillips bought his partner's interest, and 
in 1893, foi-med the Bethany Hardware Company. Mr. Phillips was elected 
president and manager, in which capacity he served until his death. He 
was a wide-awake business man and prominently identified with the 
schools of the city and the Christian Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were the parents of the following children: 
Nora Scott; Eulalie, deceased; Robert C, with the Bethany Hardware 
Company; Catherine, the wife of Max Broadhurst of Bethany; Munson 
Phillips, who died in France in 1918 ; Willard E., with the Hamilton Hard- 
ware Company of Bethany; Ruth, a bookkeeper in a bank at Clayton, 
New Mexico. 

Munsan Phillips was with the 3rd Division and left Bethany, Sep- 
tember 7, 1917. He was sent to Camp Funston and then to Camp Stewart, 
Virginia, February 27, 1918, and went overseas in April, 1918, with Com- 
pany L. of the 4th Infantry, 3rd Division. He was killed October 5, 1918 
at Argonne Forest, and is buried in France. 

Robert C. Phillips was also with the United States Army overseas, in 
the Army Motor Transport Company for ten months. He returned to 
the United States, in September, 1919. 

J. M. Scott and family are well known in Harrison County, and are 
substantial citizens. 



William 0. Dunham, a well known retired farmer, who now lives 
in Bethany, Missouri, was born in Pike County, Ohio in 1852, the son 
of Dr. W. H. and Henrietta C. (Odell) Dunham. Dr. W. H. Dunham 
died in Bentonville, Arkansas at the age of seventy-six years, and his 
wife, who is eighty-six years of age, is now living in Bentonville. Dr. 
Dunham was captain of Company D. 36th Ohio Regiment for one year 
during the Civil War. He came to Missouri in 1865 and remained for 



404 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a short time in Carroll County near Brunswick, and came to Chillicothe 
about December 1, 1865, and to Harrison County in February, 1866, and 
bought a farm in Butler Township, (now Cypress Township), of 200 acres, 
where he made his home until 1885. He bought other land, and when 
he sold out, he had accumulated five hundred and forty acres. While 
living in this county, he also practiced medicine. 

When the Dunhams settled in Cypress Township, they lived in a double 
cabin of logs for three winters and then they built a new house. The 
frame house was built from lumber hauled from St. Joseph, Missouri, 
sixty-five miles away, with a mule team. Dr. Dunham was one among 
the first to introduce Shorthorn cattle in this county. 

Dr. and Mrs. Dunham were the parents of the following children: 
William 0., of this sketch; Dr. J. D., of Pattonsburg; Franklin of Benton 
County, Arkansas; George of Portland, Oregon; and Mary, the widow 
of William Plummer of Bentonville., Arkansas. 

William 0. Dunham attended the district schools of this county and 
has lived here since 1866. He was married in January, 1872 to Nancy 
C. Burton, a daughter of Abraham and Jane (McFall) Burton of Butler 
Township. Abraham Burton owned about 1300 acres of land in Daviess, 
Gentry and Harrison counties, which he divided among his family. Mc- 
Fall, Missouri, was named after John McFall, on whose farm the town was 
laid out. Abraham Burton came to Butler Township about 1848. He 
was born in Kentucky and died in Gentry County at McFall. His wife 
died on the home farm and both are buried in Liberty Cemetery in Da- 
viess County, Missouri. Mr. Burton was an influential Republican of 
this county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burton were the parents of the following children : Mrs. 
Lettie Christie of McFall ; Sarah Christie, deceased ; Mrs. Eliza Neal of 
McFall, Missouri; Adaline Christie, now deceased; Mrs. Martha Christie, 
deceased; Mrs. Mary M. Graves, deceased; Laura F. Hawk, of Pattons- 
burg; Allen, who died in the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth, Kansas; 
John, of McFall ; Missouri ; and Mrs. Dunham. 

William 0. Dunham improved and owned 320 acres of land on which 
he and his family lived from August, 1876 until 1919, when he moved 
to Bethany. His son, William A. Dunham now owns the home place. 
This farm lies one mile west and one-half mile north of Bridgeport on 
the Jefferson Highway. 

William 0. Dunham and wife have five children, as follows: William 
A., on the home place ; Fannie, the wife of John Chipp of Bethany Town- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 40& 

ship; Bertha, the wife of George Joyce of Bethany Township; Mattie, 
the wife of G. W. Grabler of Portland, Oregon; and Sophia, the wife 
of W. F. Twohy of Olympia, Washington. 

Their grandchildren are: Fritts Chipp. who died from diptheria at 
Minneola,, New York, April 22, 1918, the day before his company started 
overseas. He enlisted at Bethany with Company G. under Captain Ran- 
dall Wilson, and served eleven onths on the Mexican Border, and then 
returned home and was operated on for appendicitis, and as soon as he 
recovered, he reenlisted at Lawton, Oklahoma. Marie, the wife of Porter 
Wiley, Helen Joyce, deceased ; Dot Joyce, Loren Joyce ; Virginia Grabler 
and Georgiana Grabler. 

They also have two great grandchildren: Beatrice Wiley and Helen 
Wiley. 

William Dunham is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America; 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Yeoman lodges. 

Mr. Dunham took an active interest in the school in Cypress Town- 
ship, and also assisted in the organization of Union Church in Cypress 
Township, at Bridgeport, and was on the building committee of this 
church. Mr. Dunham is widely and favorably known in Harrison County. 



Charles Franklin Youngman, an enterprising and progressive farmer 
of Butler Township, and proprietor of Clover Ridge Stock Farm, was 
born in Worth County, Missouri, April 16, 1872, the son of Jacob and 
Rachel (Cart) Youngman. Jacob Youngman was a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1825. His father moved to Indiana and entered land, and later 
moved to Central Missouri where he died. Jacob Youngman located in 
Iowa in 1827 and then came to Worth County, Missouri, later locating 
in Harrison County in 1877. where he died in 1901 and is bui'ied in 
Matkins Cemetery. His wife, who was born in Virginia, June 10, 1844, 
died in Butler Township in 1912. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Youngman were the parents of the following 
children: Nellie, who died when twenty-one years of age; Harry, who 
died when twenty-two years of age ; Stacy G., who lives on the home farm; 
Charles F., the subject of this sketch; Jacob Oliver, a farmer in Butler 
Township; Edward E., a railroad engineer of Enid, Oklahoma; Irvin, who 
was a school teacher died when twenty-two years old; William A., a 
farmer of Gentry County; and Katy P., the wife of William Gray of 



406 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Butler Township. By a former marriage of Jacob Youngman, he was 
the father of the following children: Lewis, of Kansas City, Missouri; 
Mi-s. Elizabeth Ainslie of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Alice E. Mock of Cal- 
ifornia; Mrs. Mary Tull, of Butler Township; and Carrie, whose address 
is unknown. 

Charles Franklin Youngman was educated in the schools of Butler 
Township, and after finishing school, lived in Colorado one and one-half 
years, and in Oklahoma for seven years, where he bought a relinquish- 
ment on 160 acres of land near Hallett in Pawnee County. He returned 
from Oklahoma in 1907 and has made his home in this county ever 
since. He bought eighty acres of his present farm from B. P. Clark and 
120 acres from Sanford Tilley, making a total of 200 acres in his home 
place and he also owns about six acres of timber land in Cypress Town- 
ship. Mr. Youngman built his present home in the fall of 1917. He 
has a nice two story residence, with basement, one barn and other build- 
hogs, and has a registered Shorthorn bull, and raises the Barred ply- 
mouth Rock chickens. Mr. Youngman has twenty-five cows on his farm 
and, at the present tim.e, milks twenty-one cows. 

Charles F. Youngman was married January 1, 1893 to Dora May 
Tilley, a daughter of Sanford M. and Lydia Ruanna (Salmon) Tilley, 
both deceased. Sanford Tilley was born in North Carolina and moved 
to Indiana with his parents, and then moved to Platte County, Missouri, 
eventually locating in Harrison County. His father, Reuben D. Tilley, 
entered land in Cypress and Butler Townships and died in this county. 
Sanford Tilley was a veteran of the Me.xican War. He died in March, 
1913 and is buried on the home place. His wife, who was a native of 
Daviess County, Missouri, died in 1884. The maternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Charles Youngman, Captain Salmon, was a verteran of the Mexican 
War ,and was killed at Taos, New Mexico and is buried there, with a 
son who was also killed. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Tilley were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Luther, who died when three years of age; Oscar, of South Dakota; 
Mrs. Martha Gilson of Colorado ; Henry M., deceased ; Ruanna Loomis, 
deceased; Oliver P., of Cypress Township; Clara, who died when twelve 
years of age; Leroy Tilley, of Dallas County, Missouri, who married Jessie 
B. Evans, of Cypress Township; and Dora M., who was bom in Butler 
Township and educated here. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 407 

Mr. and Mrs. Youngman are the parents of fourteen children, all 
living: Louise, a graduate of the Maryville State Teachers College, and 
who now teaches in Hallett, Oklahoma; Daphne, at home; Stacy, a gradu-"- 
ate of Bethany High School, who is now a teacher in Oklahoma ; Herbert, 
at home ; Luther, of Oklahoma ; Max G., at home ; Dorothy, a student in 
Bethany High School ; Marguerita also a student in Bethany High School ; 
Kermit, Kenneth, Roberta Alice, Karl Merton and Charles Jr., all at home. 
Harry Youngman was in the World War, having entered the army July 
17, 1918 and was sent to Camp McArthur, Texas, for training. During 
his stay there, he contracted the influenza and did not get to go overseas 
on this account, and was discharged in March, 1919; Stacy Youngman 
also served during the war at the Great Lakes Training Camp and also at 
Norfolk, Virginia, and made three trips overseas in convoy service. He 
is still in the reserve corps. 

Charles Franklin Youngman is a member of the Woodmen of the 
World at Matkins, Missouri, and is also a member of the Farm Bureau. 
He and his family are well known and stand high among the citizens of 
the township and surrrounding country. 



Thomas C. Miles, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Grant Town- 
ship, is a native of Harrison County. He was born in Sherman Town- 
ship, November 23, 1875, a son of John and Sophronia (Williams) Miles, 
the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Missouri. John Miles 
came to Harrison County when a boy and spent his life in this section. 
He died on July 30, 1918 and his widow now resides in Fox Creek Town- 
ship. 

Thomas C. Miles was one of a family of eight children born to his 
parents, seven of whom grew to maturity. He was reared in Fox Creek 
Township and attended the public schools. He began working out by the 
month at an early age and for five years he was employed by J. C. Ray, 
for fifteen dollars per month. At the end of five years he had saved seven 
hundred dollars and owned a horse and buggy. He then engaged in farm- 
ing for himself on the C. W. Wetherd place in Trail Creek Township. In 
19CS, he bought eighty acres of land in Trail Creek Township and in 1915 
he bought 120 acres in Grant Township, which is now his home place and 
his wife owns forty acres which makes in all 240 acres, all of which is free 
of incumbrances. Mr. Miles carries on general farming and stock rais- 



408 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

iiig, raising a great many cattle and hogs. Besides operating his own 
lana, he rents sixty acres across the road which he also cultivates. 

On January 11, 1903, Mr. Miles was married to Miss Mary Wetherd, 
a daughter of C. W. Wetherd, an early settler and prominent faimer of 
Trail Creek Township, who is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Miles have 
been born one child, Albert Forrest. 

Mr. Miles is a Republican and while a resident of Trail Creek Town- 
ship served as a member of the township board. He is an industrious 
and enterprising citizen and by constant application to his business and 
good management he has accumulated a competence while still practically 
a, young man. 



C. B. Hunsicker, a prominent landowner and breeder of high grade 
stock in Hamilton Township, has lived in Harrison County since his early 
boyhood when he came here with his parents early settlers of this part 
of the state. Mr. Hunsicker was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 9, 1848, the son of Joseph L. and Margaret (Hedges) Hunsicker. 

Joseph L. Hunsicker was born in Perry, Ohio, May 9, 1821. He went 
with his parents to Pickaway County, Ohio, and later married Margai-et 
Hedges, born at Circleville in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 7, 1820. They 
moved to Clark County, Illinois, where they lived until 1857. On Septem- 
ber 24th of that year they moved to Harrison County and located in 
Marion Township, where they remained for three years and then moved to 
Hamilton Township. Mr. Hunsicker retired from active farm life and 
moved to Eagleville. He died at Pawnee, October 24, 1903, and his wife 
died June 23, 1901. Their remains are buried in the Masonic Cemetery at 
Eagleville. To their union six children were bom: Margaret, widow of 
Bassett T. Mallett, now living at Pawnee; C. B., the subject of the present 
review; James H. and Martha E., twins, now deceased; Jacob, a resident 
of Indianola, Iowa; and Nemona, married to W. H. Payne of Mulhull, 
Oklahoma. 

C. B. Hunsicker was a lad of ten years when his parents came to 
Missouri. He has always known farm life. He bought his first land, a 
tract of eighty acres, in 1873. This piece of land formed the nucleus of 
his present large holdings. He added to the original farm as he could 
and now owns 1,000 acres of land in Hamilton Township and 325 acres in 
Hale County, Texas, and also owns 1,000 acres of land in Old Mexico. He 




^^ , 'C6, driiuyiyV^AjcAji^ 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 409 

has given 600 acres to his children. Mr. Hunsicker has made extensive 
improvements on all of his land, thus enhancing its value. 

Mr. Hunsicker's main interest, however, has been in the breeding of 
stock in w^hich he has achieved marked success. He handles Shorthorn 
cattle, Percheron horses, Poland-China hogs, and Mammoth jacks and 
jennies. He started this line of business when he was a young man. At 
that time he began to buy hve stock all over Harrison County; he often 
drove horses and mules to Omaha, and mules to St. Joseph. Mr. Hun- 
sicker keeps a horse saddled at all hours and has probably sat in the 
saddle as much as any man in the county. He has owned at various 
times several good saddle horses, the last one, a bay, named Dan Patch, 
has been in Mr. Hunsicker's possesion for five year. 

C. B. Hunsicker was married on December 24th, 1875, to Jemima Loy, 
born in Iowa, and to this union three children were born: George L., 
living in Hamilton Township; Gracia M., married to Oliver Ballew, a 
sketch of whose life appears in this volume ; and Eva Belle, wife of A. R. 
Brill of Hamilton Township. Mrs. Hunsicker died in May, 1911, and Mr. 
Hunsicker was married the second time on November 15, 1917, to Mrs. 
Mary Pierson, an estimable lady and a member of a prominent pioneer 
family of Harrison County. 

Mr. Hunsicker is a Republican in his political views and is a member 
of the Methodist Church, although he is liberal with all the churches. He 
is a man of marked business acumen and this added to his innate fondness 
for his work with live stock has made him prominent among the stock 
raisers of Harrison County. He is interested also in business ventures 
that are calculated to benefit the community. He helped to organize the 
Citizens Bank at Eagleville and is a stockholder and a director of that 
institution. He is also a shareholder in the Harrison County Fair Asso- 
ciation. Mr. Hunsicker is a substantial and reliable citizen of his com- 
munity, one who merits the high esteem in which he is held. 



Bethany Steam Laundry, of which Frank A. Everett is proprietor, is 
one of the up-to-date laundries of northern Missouri and an important 
factor among the industries of Bethany and Harrison County. The plant 
is located on North Fifteenth street, one-half block from the public square 
and occupies two floors of a large building. It is equipped with all kinds of 
mc'dern laundry machinery and does an extensive general laundry busi- 
ness, including flat work, rough dry, as well as the regular laundry work. 



410 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

This extensive laundry business made its humble beginning in 1917 
when Frank A. and his brother D. E. Everett were induced to come here 
and engage in the laundry business at the solicitation of the Bethany Com- 
mercial Club which has since been reorganized and is now known as the 
Chamber of Commerce. The Everett brothers started with a small 
laundry, occupying a portion of the present building. In April, 1918, 
Frank A. Everett bought his brothers interest who has since been asso- 
ciated with the Bethany Clipper. Mr. Everett has gone on extending and 
enlarging his business, adding new machinery from time to time and estab- 
lishing agencies in other towns until he has increased the volume of busi- 
ness of the Bethany Laundry to about six times its original capacity. He 
now has on his pay roll about twelve people. 

In addition to the regular laundry business, dyeing, dry cleaning and 
pressing is also carried on here. Mr. Everett had conducted a department 
embracing this sphere for several years and in 1921 the Reliable Dry Clean- 
ing Company was merged with the Bethany Steam Laundry and they have 
a large patronage and give universal satisfaction in this branch of industry. 
Thej' also have a department devoted to reblocking hats. 

Frank A. Everett has had many years experience in the laundry busi- 
ness and, in fact, that has been the chief occupation of his life. He was 
bor ! in Clinton County, Missouri, of pioneer parents. He received his 
education in the public schools and has worked in the laundry business 
since he was sixteen years old and was engaged in that line of work in 
St. Joseph, Missouri, prior to coming to Bethany to engage in business. 
He is a progressive and enterprising business man and one of the sub- 
stantial citizens of Bethany. 



Noah S. Cox. one of the leading farmers and breeders of Butler Town- 
ship, and proprietor of Evergreen Stock Farm, was born in Washington 
County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1870, the son of Andrew and Sarah (Yod- 
ers) Cox, both natives of Pennsylvania. Andrew Cox is living in Harri- 
son County, Missouri, and his wife died October 11. 1905 and is buried in 
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. 

The great grandfather of Noah S. Cox was one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Cox were the parents of the following children : 
William, a farmer of Cypress Township; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth, the 
wife of William Bell of Pender, Nebraska; Jennie, the wife of Jack Cox 
of Palco, Kansas ; Jacob of Williamsburg, Iowa ; Dora, the wife of Albert 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 411 

Knight of Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Andrew deceased ; Noah Sherman, the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Albert, deceased; Emma, the wife of Perry Welch of 
Butler Township ; Harry of Idaho ; and Mattie, the wife of Marshall Hall of 
Bethany, Missouri. 

Noah S. Cox was educated in the public schools of Iowa and attended 
Bethany High school. He has lived in Cypress and Butler Townships 
since 1883, and moved to his present farm in 1894. This place has excellent 
improvements, all put on by himself, including; residence, four barns, 
granary, garage, crib, smoke house and one of the best cellars in the 
county. Mr. Cox raises only registered and pure bred stock, and special- 
izes in the breeding of Percheron horses. Shorthorn cattle. Mammoth 
Jacks and Jennets, and Spotted Poland China hogs. He has an imported 
Percheron stallion, one of the best breeders of the state, his colts always 
taking the blue ribbon. "Harley," the head of the jacks was bred by Mr. 
Cox and is of Kentucky stock. "Types Favorite," the Shorthorn bull, has 
taken premiums at the Pattonsburg and Bethany fairs, and a special 
premium that the Chicago Shorthorn Association hung up. He is two 
years old and weighs 1700 pounds. "O. K. Prince," one of Faulkner's 
breeding, was one year old in March, 1920, and is a fine animal. Mr. Cox 
raises the standard bred Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. 

Noah S. Cox was married December 5, 1895 to Lucy D. Smith, a 
daughter of John A and Martha (Davis) Smith, both deceased, who 
were early settlers of this township. Mrs. Cox was born, reared and 
educated in Butler Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of the following children: Winnie, 
the wife of Leland Minor, the later a graduate of the Gem City Business 
College, and lives in Santa Rosa, Missouri; Fern, who died when 
nearly two years of age ; Grant, married Ruth Jarrett, a daughter of Sam 
Jarrett of Daviess County, Missouri, and they now live in Daviess County; 
Brookie, Lawrence, Crystal and Lucille, all at home. 

Mr. Cox is a member of the Yeoman lodge and of the Methodist 
Church. He was on the district school board of Butler Township for 
twelve years. Mr. Cox is a progressive citizen, as well as an energetic 
farmer and stock breeder. He is an asset to the citizenship of Harrison 
County. 



Cecil E. Van Meter, an energetic and prosperour farmer of Butler 
Township, and member of a pioneer family of this section, was born Beb- 
ruary 5, 1884, the son of James and Catherine (Maize) Van Meter. James 



412 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Van Meter was born in this township one-half mile north of the home of 
Cecil E. Van Meter, January 11, 1843, and died November 6, 1894. His 
wife, who was born in Cypress Township, April 5, 1850, died in February, 
1906 in Butler Township. James Van Meter owned 2414^ acres in Butler 
Township at the time of his death. During the Civil War, he was with 
the 23rd Missouri Infantry under Colonel Robinson and was in the Battle 
of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner. He sei-ved until the war closed. 

Mr. and Mrs. James Van Meter were the parents ot the following 
children: Mrs. Mary E. Green of Hamlet, Nebraska; John L., Mrs. Rachel 
Haight, Martha A., George H. and Lora J., all decased ; Robert N. of 
Butler Township; Charles A., deceased; Elisie N. Attebery of Colorado; 
Cecil E., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Orpha A. McCray of Merriman, 
Nebraska ; Florence C, deceased ; Vesta V., and an infant son who died 
February 6, 1888. 

Cecil E. Van Meter was educated in the public schools and has fol- 
lowed farming since finishing his education. He bought 100 acres of the 
home place, heired sixty-one and one-half acres and bought an additional 
fifty eight and one-half acres adjoining on the south. He does general 
farming and stock raising and is quite successful. His farm is well im- 
proved with residence, bam and other buildings, which are well kept, and 
the place is located eight miles notheast of McFall, Missouri and four miles 
southeast of Matkins. Mr. Van Meter raises the pure bred brown Leghorn 
poultry and has recently built a poultry house 30x30 feet, which is up-to- 
date and modern. 

In December, 1905, Mr. Van Meter was married to Lesta Attebery, a 
daughter of James and Emaline (Buis) Attebery. James Attebery lives 
in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. He was bom in Harrison County, Missouri, 
and his wife was a native of Ohio. She died in 1918 and is buried in 
Colorado. 

Mr. and Mrs. Attebery were the parents of the following children; 
The Rev. Benton of Pawnee, Oklahoma, a minister of the Baptist Church ; 
Rosa Nickerson of Colorado; Lewis of Colorado; Mrs. Van Meter; Mrs. 
Josie Maize of Bethany, Missouri; Walter of Butler Township; Ernest of 
Colorado; Robert, Akron, Colorado; a son and daughter who died in in- 
fancy; Gladys, who died in girlhood; Worth, who died when a young 
man; and a twin sister of Rosa Nickerson, who died in infancy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Van Meter are rearing two other children : Nathlie and Rudolph Van 
Meter. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 413 

Mrs. Van Meter was born near Ridgeway and received her education 
in the pubhc schools. 

Mr. Van Meter is a substantial citizen and well respected in the 
community. 



Joseph Lewis, a successful farmer, and member of a pioneer family 
of Harrison County, was born on the farm now owned by George Justice 
in Bethany township, December 3, 1862, the son of John and Letitia J. 
(Justice) Lewis, early settlers of this township. Mr. and Mrs. John 
Lewis were born in Indiana, where they were married, but came west in 
the 50's. John Lewis served in the Union Army in the Civil War, and was 
killed by bushwhackers at New Lexington, Missouri, 1865, while guarding 
an army supply train. He enlisted from Harrison County, Missouri, and 
is buried in the Munson Cemetery. His wife lives in Bethany Township, 
and is eighty-four years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis were the parents of the following children: 
Mary C. York of Manchester, Oklahoma; Mrs. Martha A. Whittaker of 
Bethany Township; Mrs. Serilda A. Luellen of Harrisburg, Colorado; Mrs. 
Sarah J. Bryant of Cypress Township; and Joseph, the subject or this 
sketch. 

Joseph Lewis was educated in the Brady school district and has 
earned his own living since boyhood, working by the month at first. He 
bought his first land in 1889 in partnership with his mother, and went 
in debt for his share of ninety-seven acres, which was 50 acres, and his 
mother later purchased it from him, later he bought another place which 
he sold. He then went to Oklahoma and made a race for a claim in Okla- 
homa, which he failed to get. He bought a town lot there, and, with his 
cousin Claude Lewis, went in the cattle business, taking a claim in a 
valley in Gloss Mountains and engaged in this business there for five 
years. He received an injury which unfitted him for this line of work, 
and he then returned to Harrison County in 1897 and bought the heirs 
interest of Lewis Williams of a 290 acre fann, which Mrs. Lewis now 
owns. They also own the Clay Burris farm of 118 acres in Bethany 
Township, and Mr. Lewis also owns a farm of 167^ acres near Bridge- 
port. He makes his home on the Lewis Williams place, and does general 
farming and stock raising, operating more than 450 acres of land. He 
also owns 120 acres near Albany Oregan. He raises the registered Poland 
China hogs and is very successful, both in farming and stock raising. 



414 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Joseph Lewis was married December 24, 1891 to Mary E. Williams, 
a daughter of Lewis and Sarah Williams, both deceased. Lewis Williams 
entered a part of the farm now owned by Joseph Lewis, and he and his 
wife both died here, and are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lewis are the parents of the following children: 
Mabel, the wife of Walter Watson of Cypress Township ; Arthur of Beth- 
any Township; Everett, at home; Ethel, who died when fourteen months 
of age; Merritt, at home; Harvey of Cypress Township; Bessie, Samuel 
and Garland, at home; and Ernest, who was born in Polk County, Oregon, 
also at home. Everett Lewis was in the United States Navy during the 
World War, and was in service for eighteen months on the Battleship 
Oregon. 

Joseph Lewis and family are well Ivnown in Harrison County, and 
highly respected citizens. 



Thomas C. Vandevort, now deceased, during his life was prominently 
identified with the agricultural interests of this county. He was born 
in Athens County, Ohio in 1833 and came to Harrison County before the 
Civil War. During the war, he was with Company I, 1st regiment, Mis- 
souri infantry, and was in the cavalry later, and served for three years. 
At the end of the war, he engaged in farming. He died in 1872, and is 
buried in Hatton Cemetery. 

Mr. Vandevort was married in 1862 to Mary E. Youngs, a daughter 
of William H. and Love (Salmon) Youngs. Mrs. Vandevort was born 
in Hardin County, Ohio and came to Missouri with her parents in 1847. 
W. H. Youngs had a blacksmith shop at Happy Valley, and made wagons, 
ox yokes and log chains for people going to California in 1849 and 1850. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Youngs were the parents of the following chil- 
dren; Mrs. William Youngs, deceased; Mrs. Vandevort; John L. Young of 
Clpress Township; Mrs. Pauline Rice, deceased; George L. Young, 
deceased; Mrs. Sarah Jane Ray of Cypress Township; B. L. 
Youngs of Cypress Township. And, by a fromer marriage of W. H. 
Youngs, he had a son, Thomas Samuel Youngs, and daughter Johanna 
Hatton, both deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vandevort were the parents of two children : Alice, the 
wife of U. F. Criger of Mt. Mariah this county, and William, who lives on 
the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Criger have seven children: Perlie May 
McKee, Orlie, deceased; Clifford, Mi's. Ethel Woodward, Clay, Mrs. Lola 
Hobbs, Harvey and Logan. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 415 

William Vandevort, who lives with his mother on the home place, 
was born in Cypress Township, October 12, 1864, and was educated in 
the public schools. He is a member of the Masonic, Modern Woodmen 
of America and Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges. 

Mrs. Vandevort and her son have made their home on their present 
farm for the past thirty years. They have sixty aci-es, which is a part of 
the homestead of Thomas C. Vandevort. 

Mrs. Vandevort is a wonian of intelligence, and in spite of an acci- 
dent, which partly incapacitates her, does considerable work, and finds 
time to read and gets enjoyment out of life among her books and papers. 
She and her son have a comfortable home. 



George T. Montgomery, a leading farmer of Cypress Township, and 
proprietor of Spring Branch Farm, was born in Otoe County, Nebraska, 
September 18, 1869, the son of George W. and Anna (Wilson) Montgomery, 
both of whom are deceased. 

George Montgomery was born on the ocean while his parents were 
on the way to America from Scotland. He was reared in New York but 
later returned to Scotland and was educated there, and, upon his return 
to the United States, located in Nebraska in 1847, and made this his 
home until his death in April, 1900, his wife having died in 1871. 

Mr. and Mrs. George Montgomery were the parents of the following 
children: Mrs. John Lowrey of Otoe County, Nebraska; Mrs. D. J. Gush- 
ing, deceased, whose husband lives in Del Rosa, California; Mrs. James 
Welch of Nebraska City; William of Nebraska City; and George T., the 
subject of this sketch. 

George T. Montgomery was educated in the public schools and at 
Nebraska City College in Nebraska, taking three years of work at this 
school. After finishing his education, he engaged in farming and stock 
raising in Nebraska, and came to Harrison County, Missouri in January, 
1901, and bought 320 acres of land, his present home, later buying an 
additional 120 acres, his entire acreage totaling 440 acres. This is an 
excellent farm, the main feature which first attracted Mr. Montgomery 
being the abundance of water from natural springs. Mr. Montgomery 
raises Angus cattle, Poland China and Hampshire hogs, crossed, and White 
Leghorn poultry, and is one of the most successful farmers in the county. 
He has a good residence, and fine barn, and other buildings well equipped 
for the raising of stock. He has electric lights and water works, making 



416 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the place modern and convenient. The Jefferson Highway runs along the 
east and south lines of the farm. 

Mr. Montgomery was married December 25, 1895, to Laura Lowrey, 
a daughter of Greene and Ruth (Williams) Lowrey, both deceased. Mrs. 
Montgomery was born in Daviess County, Missouri, near Pattonsburg, 
where she was reared and educated. 

Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have three children: Winne, a teacher in 
the high school, at Tuscon, Arizona, and who was graduated from the 
Wolcott College at Denver in 1918, and from the University or Arizona 
in 1921 ; George W., a graduate of the Pattonsburg, Missouri, High School, 
and who attended the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1920 and 
who has been specializing in agriculture at Tuscon, Arizona for the past 
year; and Opal, who was graduated from the county schools this year 
and is now a student at Florence, Arizona; and Ina, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Montgomery. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Bethany, and has filled the offices on the township board. He is one 
of the county's most substantial citizens and the Montgomery family is 
representative of the best citizenship. Mrs. and Mr. Montgomery are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 



Dr. Ernest Logan Wood, a well known osteopath of Bethany, Mis- 
souri, and proprietor of Wood Hospital, 330 North Twenty-second Street, 
was bom near Lyons, Kansas, July 17, 1886, the son of Rev. Eli T. and 
Ora (Bartlett) Wood. Rev. Wood was a Methodist minister and class 
leader for seventeen years in the church of the county. He was born 
November 12, 1860, and died June 12, 1913. The Wood family came to 
Harrison County about the year 1892. John N. Wood, father of Rev. Eli 
T. Wood, was a veteran of the Civil War and was wounded while in service, 
being shot through the lung. He was a resident of this county for many 
years and late in life moved to Kansas, where he died. 

Dr. Ernest Logan Wood was educated in the public schools, Bethany 
High School, and spent four years at the American School of Osteopathy 
at Kirksville, Missouri, graduating in June, 1921. Both Dr. Wood and 
wife took special hospital work while there in addition to the regular 
course. 

Eva Electa Foster Wood, the wife of Dr. Ernest Logan Wood, was 
born in Sherman Township, a daughter of John L. and Victoria A. (Dale) 
Foster. The latter lives in Ridgeway, Missouri, and the former died July 




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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 417 

3, 1921, and is buried at Dale Cemetery. Thomas Foster, grandfather of 
Mrs. Wood, was a pioneer of Sherman Township, setthng here in 1853. 
Eva Electra Wood was edeucated in the common schools and Ridgeway 
High School. She attended a teachers' normal at Bethany and taught 
school in this countp for six years, after which she attended the Ameri- 
can School of Osteopathy, and was graduated in June, 1921, with the 
degree of Doctor of Osteopathy. 

Dr. and Mrs. Wood were married at Ridgeway, Missouri, August 14, 
1907, and they have a daughter, Maxine. 

Wood Hospital of Bethany, Missouri, was opened for business August 
1, 1921. The building is of brick and consists of twenty-four rooms, and 
was formerly owned by Davis Johnson of Bethany, Missouri. Doctors 
Wood and Wood purchased the building in September, 1920, and remod- 
eled it in June, 1921. The building is three stories high and fronts the 
beautiful Allen Park. The spacious yard, interspersed with native trees 
is a delight to the eye, as seen from the veranda on the front. 

Wood Hospital is up to date in every respect and modern throughout. 
There is a special room for obstetrical cases, major and minor operations, 
and a room is being fitted for all kinds of cast work. This hospital is a 
long felt need for the people of this county, and Doctors Wood and Wood 
are thorough in every detail of its management, and well qualified and 
fitted for their position. Dr. George Laughlin of Kirksville, Missouri, a 
son-in-law of the founder of osteopathy, will do major operations for 
Wood Hospital at any time. He is considered the leading surgeon of the 
West, and out of 900 cases in 1921, he lost but three. i 

The Wood Hospital is one of the important institutions of Harrison 
County. 



James B. Slemmons, an enterprising member of the firin of Slemmons 
and Walker, of Bethany, Missouri, was born in Plattsburg, Clinton County, 
Missouri, August 3, 1869, the son of Beverly T. and Nancy J. (Burr) 
Slemmons, both of whom died in King City, Missouri, and are buried 
there. Mr. Slemmons received his education in the public schools and 
entered the mercantile business September 1, 1890 and has been engaged 
in this line of work continuously since that time. 

Mr. Slemmons was married September 1, 1892 to Mollie J. Walker and 
they have a daughter Lucille, now a teacher in Bloomfield, Iowa. She 
was educated at Lake Forest, Chicago, Illinois and at Grinnell College, in 
Iowa, specializing in English which she teaches. 

Mr. Slemmons is a member of the Knights of Pvthias lodge. 
(22) 



4i8 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

John H. Flint, an extensive and successful fanner and stock raiser of 
CjTJress Township, was born in Bethany Township, December 18, 1867, 
the son of Joseph Flint and wife. Joseph Flint died in Bethany Township 
and is buried at Antioch. He was a member of the Home Guards during 
the Civil War. His wife died in 1879 and is also buried at Antioch. Mr. 
and Mrs. Joseph Flint were the parents of the following children : Mary, the 
wife of William Linthacum of Sherman TowTiship; Thomas and J. H., of 
Cypress Township. By a second marriage of Joseph Flint to Martha Hilton, 
he had six children, as follows: Anna, the wife of Charles Huff of Coffey, 
Missouri; Mrs. Katie Boyles, deceased; George, of Oklahoma; Charles, of 
St. Joseph ; Alice, the wife of Legrand Burris, and Effie Shaw, deceased. 

J. H. Flint was educated in the public school, and after finishing his 
education, he rented land, prior to buying his home about 1901, from New- 
ton Rucker. He now owns 280 acres of well improved land in Cypress 
Township, and does general farming and feeds hogs extensively. 

Mr. Flint was married March 1, 1893, to Ellen Foster, a daughter of 
Samuel and Mary A. (Smith) Foster. Samuel Foster was a veteran of 
the Civil War, enlisting from Arkansas in the Union Army, and he served 
three years in the Second Arkansas Infantry. He died November 13, 1910, 
and is buried at Antioch Church, and his wife is now living at the age of 
ninety years, near Antioch Church in Sherman Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Foster were the parents of the following children : Sarah 
Harvey, of Bethany Towaiship; Thomas, of St. Joseph, Missouri; George, 
of Daviess County ; Mrs. Flint ; and Samuel, on the home place in Sherman 
Township. Mrs. Flint was bom in Sherman Township and educated there. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Flint are the parents of six sons : Joseph H., a World 
War veteran, who enlisted December 1, 1917, at St. Louis, Missouri, in 
the aviation corps and was sent to Champaign, Illinois, where he was in 
training three months, and then to Rantoul, Illinois, field, and for nine 
months he was commissioned second lieutenant and kept there as an in- 
tructor until the war closed. He returned home December 17, 1918, 
and is now a teacher of vocational agriculture at Maysville, Missouri. He 
was married December 27, 1920, to Mabel Thurston. 

Walker Flint enlisted in the United States Army for the World 
War, October 3, 1917, at Camp Funston, and was then sent to Newport 
News, Virginia, where he was with the veterinary corps, and saw sixteen 
months' service before returning home, Februaiy 1, 1919. He married 
Mabel Utterback, April 16, 1920. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 419 

Fred and Claude Flint were in the S. A. T. C. at Fulton, Missouri, for 
four months during the World War. 

Doyle and Victor Flint live at home. 

Mr. J. H. Flint has served on the school board here for more than fif- 
teen years. He and his family are highly respected citizens and stand high 
in Harrison County. 



Oliver P. Tilley, a leading and prosperous farmer of Cypress Town- 
ship, and president of the Harrison County Farm Bureau, and of the Fed- 
eral Farm Loan Association, and also of the Harrison County Dairy Asso- 
ciation, is a member of a pioneer family of this county, and was born in 
Butler Township, August 18, 1862, the son of Sanford M. and Lydia 
Salmon Tilley, both deceased, and a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

Oliver P. Tilley was educated in the public schools of the county and 
has made his own way in life since thirteen years of age. He now owns 
the Hard Scrabble Dairy Farm, seven miles southwest of Bethany, which 
consists of 360 acres, and which is one of the finest farms of the county. 
He bought his first 100 acres about the year 1885, when twenty-one years 
of age. Prior to this, he owned a farm in Dakota, which he sold when he 
came here. The Hard Scrabble Farm is well improved with modern house, 
equipped with gas, both lights and furnace; large barn for horses and a 
cow barn, and poultry houses, and a second set of improvements on the 
farm, consisting of good residence, bam and poultry houses, are used by 
Ray J. Tilley. 

Oliver Tilley raises registered pure bi-ed Jersey cattle, registered Du- 
roc Jersey hogs, certified white Leghorn poultry and breeds the Reid's yel- 
low dent corn. He sells cream through the Dairy Association, and this 
farm is the only one doing official testing for official merit test. Oliver 
Tilley assisted in organizing the Harrison County Dairy Association and 
has been its president since 1910. He also assisted in organizing the Har- 
rison County Farm Bureau in 1918, and the county has had a county agent 
since 1919. The Federal Farm Loan Association is the largest in the state 
of Missouri and Mr. Tilley is its president, and was the prime organizer 
of this association here. Mr. Tilley also helped organize the Harrison 
County Fair and has been on the board ever since. Besides his numerous 
other duties, Mr. Tilley made the race for county judge on the Bull Moose 
ticket in 1912 and has been prominent in the Republican party. 

In November, 1880, Mr. Tilley was married to Lizzie Davis, a daughter 



f'^ 



420 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of W. M. Davis and wife. Mrs. Tilley died in 1887, leaving five children : 
Daisy, the wife of Lloyd Atwood, of Darlington, Missouri ; Fred, of Bethany, 
Missouri; Jj Ross, of Idaho; Arthur, who died at the age of twelve years; 
and Goldie, who died in infancy. Mr. Tilley married a second time January 
1, 1890, to Bertha M. Brown, a daughter of James T. and Mary Brown, 
both deceased. Mr. Brown was a fanner in Bethany Township, and was 
a prominent horseman of this county. 

By his second marriage, Mr. Tilley has the following children: Ray J., 
who is engaged in farming and stock raising in Cypress Township; Hoyt 
G., a professor of vocational agriculture at Mound City, Missouri, and a 
graduate of the Missouri University in class of 1920, and who received his 
degree in the same class with General John J. Pershing and General Crowd- 
er, the latter receiving degrees on account of their distinction, married 
Pauline Abbott of Columbia; Ruby Coral, a graduate of Bethany High 
School, and who spent one year at school in Valparaiso, Indiana; Doris 
Olive, a sophomore at the Missouri University, and who is a graduate of 
Bethany High School ; Geraldine, a junior in the Bethany High School ; and 
Oliver Pierce, a freshman in the Bethany High School. 

Hoyt G. served seven months on the Mexican Border, having been 
called out with the National Guards August 5, 1917, and was at Ft. Sill. 
Oklahoma, until January, 1918, and then went east for special training 
in aerial photography. He spent three months at New York City in Colum- 
bia University, three months at Sacketts Harbor, three months with the 
Eastman Kodak people ; three months at Cornell University and was must- 
ered out in Texas, February 5, 1919. The picture in the book of the Harri- 
son County Fair was taken by Hoyt G. Tilley. 



S. A. Dale, a progressive and well known farmer of Gi'ant Township, 
was born in Bethany Township, May 7, 1858, the son of T. J. and Lecta 
(Fuller) Dale. 

T. J. Dale was the son of Alfred Dale, a native of Virginia, who came 
with his family to Harrison County in the early forties and settled near 
Bethany, where he followed the vocation of farming and where he died. 
His son, T. J. Dale, was a soldier in the Union Army in the Civil War, 
and died at the age of twenty-four in Lexington, Missouri, from typhoid 
fever. Lecta (Fuller) Dale was bom near Cleveland, Ohio, and died in 
1917 at the age of eighty. After the death of her first husband, she 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 421 

married Uriah Hallack, the father of Hyman Hallack of Grant Township. 
A sketch of Hyman Hallack appears in this volume. 

The children of T. J. and Lecta (Fuller) Dale were: S. A., the subject 
of this review; Victoria, married John L. Foster of Ridgeway, Missouri; 
and Ella E., married B. 0. Coleman and died in Oklahoma. 

S. A. Dale was reared in Sherman Township, Harrison County, and 
received his education in the Hickory School in Sherman Township and 
the Harmony School in Bethany Township. He began to farm when a 
young man, first renting land, and then buying 120 acres in Grant Town- 
ship for which he paid $480, paying eighty dollars at the time of the pur- 
chase and the remainder with in a few years. He later sold this land 
and bought another farm and now owns 250 acres. He has a ten room, 
attractive residence with modern equipment. He also has a good barn 
and other good farm building. Mr. Dale does general farming and raises 
Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. He is accounted one of the suc- 
cessful farmers in the county. 

S. A. Dale was married to Lucy A. McGee, October 9, 1885. Mrs. 
Dale was a native of Kentucky, a daughter of T. J. McGee, now deceased. 
Mrs. Dale came to Missouri with her parents when she was fourteen, 
and lived here the remainder of her life. She died in 1900. To S. A. and 
Lucy A. (McGee) Dale the following children were born: V. E., now a 
farmer and stockman in Sherman Township ; Orrie, married Oscar Coleman 
and lives in Pratt County, Kansas; Iva, married Dock Cotrell, and lives 
in Daviess County, near Oilman City ; June, now living at home and keep- 
ing house for her father; and Ruth, a graduate of the Bethany High 
School, later a teacher, and now a student in the State Teachers College 
in Kirksville, Missouri. 

Mr. Dale is a democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He 
is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Harrison County. 



Ray J. Tilley, son of Oliver P. Tilley, is a successful farmer and stock- 
man of Cypress Township. He is a graduate of the Grand Island Business 
College at Grand Island, Nebraska. He took a short course in agriculture 
at the Missouri University, and also took the long course for one year. 
For six years he worked at stenography, and worked his way through the 
University at Columbia. 

During the World War Mr. Tilley was in the United States Navy for 



422 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

thirteen months. He enlisted December 5, 1917, and was mustered out 
January 11, 1919. 

Ray J. Tilley made a special study at the University of Missouri, in 
the line of judging all grains and won the highest medal in grain judging. 
He also won the dairy judging prize at Sedalia State Fair in 1919, first for 
dairy cattle and second prize on mules. 

Ray J. Tilley married Miss Iva Dell Grigsby of Fayette, Missouri. She 
is a daughter of Thomas J. and Eliza Grigsby. To Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have 
been born one daughter, Margaret Ethalyn. 

Mr. Tilley is a progressive young man and is widely and favorably 
known. 



E. M. Hill and Son, B. H. Hill, well known and successful proprietors 
of a general merchandise and grocery store at Blue Ridge have been in 
business here since 1897, although E. M. Hill has been retired for the 
past four years and his son is the active manager. 

E. M. Hill was married in 1888 in West Virginia to Lou Rayburn, 
who was bom and reared in Mason County, Virginia, and who was a 
daughter of Griffin and Mary (Morehead) Rayburn. Griffin Rayburn was 
a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in the Union Army from Mason 
County, Virginia. He and his wife both died in that county and are 
buried there. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have four children: May, the wife of 
S. J. Gutshall of Adams Township; B. H. of Adams Township; Bell, the 
wife of G. L. Taggart of Sherman Township; and Wilbur D., who died 
in infancy. 

During the Civil War, E. M. Hill enlisted in Company H. 53rd O. V. V., 
on November 25, 1861, and, before he was sixteen years of age, was In 
the battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, and, in this battle, he was 
wounded in the right leg. He was mustered out August 25, 1865, after 
three years and nine months of service, and, while in the war, participated 
in sixty seven engagements. Out of the entire regiment to which Mr. 
Hill belonged, there were but thirteen living when the last reunion was 
held in Columbus, Ohio. 

E. M. Hill, came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1872 and engaged 
in farming, and returned to Virginia in 1888 where he married, having 
known his wife from childhood. 

Mr. Hill has also found time, aside from his business affairs, to take 
an interest in the affairs of his township and has very capably filled the 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 423 

office of township assessor of Sugar Creek Township. He was formerly a 
member of the G. A. R. at Bethany, Missouri. Mr. Hill is now living 
a retired life practically, although he has fifteen acres of land at Blue 
Ridge which he looks after. 

B. H. Hill, manager of the store at Blue Ridge, was born in Sugar 
Creek Township, January 4, 1892, and was educated in the county schools, 
and prior to entering the mercantile business, he engaged in farming, 
and also hauled freight from Bethany to Blue Ridge for about ten years. 
He manages the store in a very efficient manner, and the business has 
grown materially in the last few years. 

B. H. Hill was married March 28, 1915 to Edith Lee Baldwin of 
Gilman City. She was born in Gentry County, Missouri, a daughter of 
W. A. and Emma Baldwin, both of whom live at Bethany, Missouri. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hill have two sons : Max Marvin and Roe Allen. 

B. H. Hill is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at 
Bethan}-. He has filled the office of tax collector for six years, and has 
been constable for about that length of time. 



Vincle Abner Cummings, a successful and energetic citizen at Blue 
Ridge, Missouri, was born in White Oak Township November 10, 1889, 
the son of Henry and Melissa (Justice) Cummings, who now live at 
Avondale, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cummings were born in Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, and are the parents of the following children : John, who died at the 
age of fourteen years; Vincle A., the subject of this sketch; Victor of 
Gilman, Missouri ; Mella of Gilman, Missouri ; Mary, the wife of Sanders 
Stewart of North Kansas City, Missouri; Ed of Gilman, Missouri; Cora 
of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Ceba of Avondale, Missouri. 

Vincle A. Cummings was educated in the public schools of Burton 
and Brady districts, and in early manhood engaged in the saw mill busi- 
ness. Mr. Cummings located in Blue Ridge in 1912 and opened up a 
general repair shop in November, 1920. In addition to auto work and 
blacksmithing, he grinds feed and chop and also has an electric dynamo 
of 3000 watt capacity. Mr. Cummings has had a nice business since com- 
ing here, which continues to grow. He has the confidence of the people 
and has made many friends in this community. 

Mr. Cummings was married in 1913 to Grace E. Cummings, a daugh- 



424 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ter of John and Flora Cummings. Mrs. Cummings was reared near Blue 
Ridge and educated here. Her parents reside in Nebraska. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are the parents of five children : Mary Alice, 
Thelma May, Deloris, Maxine and Vincle, Jr. 

He is a good mechanic and a progressive and enterprising citizen. 



H. M. Tilley, deceased, a prominent and leading pioneer of Butler 
Township, was bom August 28, 1860, the son of Sanford M. and Liddia 
(Salmon) Tilley. Sanford Tilley was bom in North Carolina, January 24, 
1827, and died April 19, 1916. When one year old, he moved to Cumber- 
land Gap, Virginia, and three months later, he moved to Monroe County, 
Indiana, with his parents, who remained there for eight years, when they 
moved to Illinois, and the next spring went to St. Louis, Missouri, and 
came up the Missouri River to Westport landing, finally locating in Platte 
County, Missouri, where they lived for eight years, at the end of which 
time, in 1845, they settled in Harrison County. In 1846, Sanford Tilley 
volunteered in the Mexican War, and served under Captain Salmon, grand- 
father of H. M. Tilley, deceased. He was in service for eighteen months, 
and upon his return from the army, was employed by the Government 
and drove a six-mule team to Fort Hall, Oregon. The next spring, he 
joined a company of men going to the gold fields of California, and, while 
there, he took sick and returned via Panama, walking across the present 
site of the canal, and took a ship for New Orleans. He walked home from 
St. Louis, arriving March 26, 1851. 

Sanford Tilley married Liddia Salmon, a daughter of Captain Salmon, 
who was wounded in a battle with the Indians near Taos, New Mexico, 
and died as a result of his injuries. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Tilley were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Martha Gibson, of Idaho; Oscar Tilley of Spencer, South Dakota; 
Anna Loomis, who died in Alberta, Canada, in 1920 ; 0. P. Tilley of Cypress 
Township ; Roy Tilley of Buffalo, Missouri ; Mrs. Dora Youngman of Butler 
Township; H. M., deceased, the subject of this sketch; and Loraine, Luther 
and Clara, all of whom died in infancy. In addition to the ten children, 
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Tilley had fifty-eight grandchildren and thirty-two 
great-grandchildren, eighty-nine of whom were living at the time of his 
death in 1916. Sanford Tilley's grandfather, David Tilley, was in the 
Revolutionary War, and his father was in the War of 1812. Sanford 
Tilley was in the Missouri State Militia as well as in the Mexican War. 



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3 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 425 

H. M. Tilley was educated in the public schools of the county, and at 
the age of fourteen years, went west and was gone for about eight years, 
during which time he was a cowboy and Government freighter. He re- 
turned to Harrison County at the age of twenty-three years, and was 
married September 21, 1884, to Emma F. Brown, a daughter of James T. 
and Mary (Sackman) Brown. James Brown died September 12, 1915, 
and his wife died in January, 1908, and they are buried in Burris Cemetery. 
James Brown and wife were married in Schuyler County, Illinois, and 
located in Harrison County, Missouri, in 1865, in Bethany Township. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Tilley ; 
Mrs. 0. P. Tilley of Cypress Township; Mrs. Cora Allen of Gentryville, 
Missouri; George L. Brown of St. Joseph, Missouri ; Julius and John Brown, 
deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tilley were the parents of four children: William San- 
ford, who was bom July 1, 1885, and who has been operating the home 
farm for six years, and for three years previous was in the Western 
States, and while at Grand Junction, Colorado, lost an arm in a railroad 
wreck, while working for the D. R. G. Railroad; May G., born December 
7, 1887, the wife of Walter Atterberry of Butler Township; George Mer- 
ton, born April 8, 1889, of Welch, Okla., who married Clara Goldsberry; 
Frances Herbert, born January 28, 1891, and died August 28, 1892; and 
Argil, born September 25, 1893, and who married Artie Clark. Mr. and 
Mrs. Tilley also reared Myra Brown, now the wife of Clifford Burris of 
Bethany Township. 

Emma F. (Bi-own) Tilley, wife of H. M. Tilley, was educated in sub- 
scription and public schools of this county. H. M. Tilley and wife moved 
to her present home November, 1892. Mr. Tilley owned 174 acres of finely 
improved land, which was thoroughly adapted to dairying. He raised 
the registered Holstein cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, and also fed stock 
extensively. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World, and the 
Yeoman lodges, and also a member of the Bethany Commercial Club. Mr. 
Tilley was a man of progressive attributes and a leader for things of 
public merit. 

Paul Tilley, a nephew of H. M. Tilley, was reared by H. M. Tilley 
and wife, and he won the silver cup and two gold medals for the best five 
acres of com grown in the state in 1921, the corn being grown on the 
Tilley farm in Butler Township. 

William S. and Argil Tilley are specializing in corn breeding in Reed's 
yellow dent corn. Mrs. Tilley raises the English sngle comb White Leg- 



426 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

horn chickens and, in 1919, sold $800.00 worth of eggs, and almost as 
many in 1920. 

Argil Tilley owns and operates a farm of 120 acres in Butler Town- 
ship, formerly the home of his great grandfather, who entered the land 
in 1846. He was educated in the public schools and has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising all of his life. He moved to his present fann 
in 1916, and has lived here ever since. Prior to coming here, in July, 1914, 
he enlisted in the National Guards and was with Company G on their 
trip to the Mexican border, and was in service for two and one-half years, 
and was mustered out October 12, 1916. 

Argil Tilley married Artie B. Clark, a daughter of William M. and 
.Minnie (Schofield) Clark of Bethany, December 26, 1914. Mrs. Tilley 
was born in Harrison County, Missouri, and was educated in the public 
schools. Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have two children: Wilda and Eva Elizabeth. 
Mr. Tilley and his brother, William, have won prizes the past two years on 
Reed's yellow dent com, as follows : Gentry County Com Show at Albany, 
Missouri, on ten ears, in 1919 ; first premium at King City, in 1919, on 
ten ears ; champion and grand champion at King City, Missouri, on ten 
ears in 1919; third premium on single ear at King City, in 1919; fourth 
premium on five acres of com at Harrison County Com Show in 1919 ; 
seventh premium at Missouri State Corn Show in 1919. In 1920, they 
won the following premiums: First premium; on ten ears at Albany, 
.Missouri, Gentry County Corn Show; first premium at Harrison County, 
five acre yield contest, with yield of 115.8 bushels per acre; second pre- 
mium at King City Corn Show on ten ears ; fourth premium at King City 
Corn Show on ten ears; fifth premium on single ear at King City Corn 
Show; first premium at Missouri State Corn Show, on ten ears; second 
premium at Missouri State Corn Show on five-acre yield contest; fourth 
premium at Missouri State Corn Show on single ear ; and fifth premium at 
same show, also. The premiums have amounted to more than $300.00, 
and these brothers have the record of growing the largest yield of any 
one on a five-acre plat. 



William H. Richter, a successful and enterprising farmer of Adams 
Township, was born in Fulton County, Indiana, September 9, 1848, the 
son of James and Eleanor (Gorden) Richter. Mrs. Richter was of the 
Gordon family of Scotland. She died in 1852, in Indiana, and James Richter 
died about the year 1891 and is buried in the Independent Order of Odd 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 427 

Fellows Cemetery at Bethany, Missouri. James Richter came to Missouri 
in 1855 and settled near Bethany, where he entered 800 acres of land. He 
had the only house on the prairie between Bethany and Bancroft. Mr. 
and Mrs. James Richter were the parents of the following children: Mrs. 
Marie Pettit of Denver, Colorado, William H., the subject of this sketch; 
and eight children, who are deceased. 

William H. Richter attended a subscription school in his boyhood 
days, which was conducted by Mrs. Henry Boyce at her home, about five 
miles east of Bethany. This was before public schools were organized, and 
the subscription schools charged $1.00 per month for each pupil. 

June 1, 1871, Mr. Richter was married to Eliza J. Elwell, the widow 
of Capt. George W. Elwell, and after their marriage they moved to the 
farm where they now live. At that time the residence was a cabin, and 
all the land was raw prairie. Mr. Richter now has three sets of buildings, 
six barns, and there are now forty-two buildings on the farm of different 
kinds, all put up by Mr. Richter. At one time he had one of the finest 
fish ponds on his place to be found anywhere. The pond covered one and 
one-half acres and had twelve feet of water in its deepest places. It was 
stocked with bass, crappie, channel cat fish, and there are still a few fish 
in the pond. The farm comprises 370 acres, and is located four miles 
northwest of Oilman. The original cabin into which Mr. Richter moved 
had a puncheon floor, with cracks wide enough for the knives, forks and 
spoons to drop through. He borrowed $10.00 to get married and gave 
the preacher, the Reverend Cave, father of Alfred Cave, of Bethany, half 
of that amount, and during their early married life Mr. and Mrs. Richter 
lived on yellow corn bread rather than go in debt for flour. Mr. Richter 
taught school in the winters fon seven years and farmed during the 
summer, and went barefooted in the summer until thirty years of age. 
In the early days the food consisted of corn bread, wild hog and venison. 
Mr. Richter's first team was an old blind horse and a crippled one. His 
place now shows the signs of a thrifty farmer and successful business 
man. He has always been identified with the Republican party and takes 
an active part in the affairs of the township. For the past twenty-two 
years Mr. Richter has been breeding Shorthorn cattle and has one of the 
finest herds in the county. "Hallwood Count 3rd," the head of his herd, 
weighs 2,500 pounds and is one of the largest animals of this kind to 
be found in this section of the State, and his herd of seventy-five cattle 
is among the best in the State. Mr. Richter recently shipped a car of 



428 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

these cattle to Washington, and he ships stock all over the countiy- 
Seventy acres of the farm is in alfalfa, which product Mr. Richter has 
specialized in to the extent that he makes lectures on the raising of 
alfalfa. His oldest piece of alfalfa is ten years old and has been cut 
thirty-seven times, and, in 1920, yielded seven tons per acre. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richter are the parents of the following children : Frank, 
born June 8, 1872, who married Harriett Carr, of Michigan, and who live 
on the home place ; James G., born August 3, 1884, married Ruth Vosburg. 
They live in Daviess County, Missouri. 

Mr. Richter has never belonged to a secret society and has never had 
his life insured. He is one of the most respected and best known men 
in the county. 



0. H. Nally, a progressive and successful farmer of Adams Township, 
was born in Jackson County, Ohio, March 20, 1852, the son of William 
and Patsy (Gillespie) Nally, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. William Nally 
came to Missouri in 1865 and settled first in Livingston County for three 
years, then moved to Harrison County in Adams Township in 1868 and 
bought 7371/2 acres of land from William Hillman, formerly the Westfield 
farm. William Nally and family made this their home here until his 
death, December 31, 1888. His wife died in January, 1888, and both are 
buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Nally were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Lucinda Bai-low, widow of James Barlow, deceased; Susie, the 
widow of Edward Poore, who lives in Jackson County, Ohio ; Sarah J., the 
wife of Livingston Gibbons, of Chillicothe, Missouri j W. Jasper, deceased; 
Winfield S., of Morton County, Kansas; Moses, who died in 1878; 0. H., 
the subject of this sketch; Harvey Nally, of Cainsville, Missouri; and 
Frank, deceased. 

0. H. Nally received his education in the public schools of Ohio and 
Missouri, and for the past forty-four years has lived on his present fai-m 
of 340 acres of land, which is located six and one-half miles northwest of 
Oilman. This is a well improved place with good residpuce, bam, cribs, 
granary, etc. The farm is well watered and is one of the best stock farms 
in this section. Since Mr. Nally moved here, a Cottonwood tree grew on 
the farm, which was cut down recently and made 248 feet of lumber. 

0. H. Nally was mamed November 30, 1873, to Samantha J. Burris, 
a daughter of Jefferson and Sarah T. (Cherington) Burris, both deceased. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 429 

Mrs. Burris died in Ohio and her husband then located in Mitchelville, 
where he lived until his death. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nally are the parents of the following- children: Mrs. 
Cornelia May Cope, deceased; Charles, a ranchman of Colorado, who 
married Pearl Mitchell; Moses Earl, of Nodaway County, Missouri, who 
married Willa Knowles; Alvin, a fanner of Harrison County, Missouri; 
Walden E., of Adams Township, who married Laura Beals; Frank, of 
Colorado, who married a Miss Jersey, of Nodaway County, Missouri; 
Gladys E. Meek, who died in 1920; George, of Blue Ridge, who married 
Leta Haselden ; and Hai-vey, of Colorado. The last named tried to get in 
the army during the World War, but was rejected. Frank Nally enlisted 
in the army from Harrison County, August, 1918, and was sent to training 
camp near Waco, Texas, where he was discharged at the close of the war. 

Mr. Nally has found time besides his agricultural pursuits to take 
part in the affairs of his township, and has sei'ved on the township board 
for many years and also on the school board. He and his family are well 
respected citizens and have many friends throughout the county. 

The grandfather of 0. H. Nally, Moses Nally, was a native of Alber- 
marle County, Virginia, but left there in 1817 and located in Jackson 
County, Ohio. He was a farmer and brought with him to Ohio white seed 
com, this seed from this corn being known as the Nally corn. When O. 
H. Nally went to Ohio in January, 1901, a cousin of his still had com from 
the original seed, and Mr. Nally brought some of it home and planted 
on his farm in Harrison County. 



Thomas J. Higgins, a well knowii farmer and stockman of Adams 
Township, was born in Rush County, Indiana, May 31, 1834, the son of 
Talbert and Matilda (Jones) Higgins. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert Higgins 
came to Missouri in 1839 and settled in Daviess County, near Coffey, be- 
fore the land was surveyed. Mr. Higgins was killed by a falling tree in 
February, 1840, and he was the first one buried in the cemetery at Coffey, 
Missouri. His widow died in Adams Township in January, 1901, and is 
buried at Coffey, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Talbert Higgins were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Thomas J., of this sketch; Mrs. Louisa Thomas, deceased; A. D., a 
veteran of the Civil War, died October 14, 1921, and is buried at Coffey, 
Missouri; and Talbert, who also sei-ved in the Civil War. By a second 



430 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

marriage of Mrs. Talbert Higgins to John Bums she had a son ana 
daughter: Henry Clay Burns and Mrs. Margaret Beckeit, both of whom 
are deceased. 

Thomas J. Higgins came to Harrison County when six years of age, 
and has lived on his present farm since 1860. Mr. Higgins was in the 
Civil War, enlisting in 1863 with the Missouri State Militia, Company F. 
Third Regiment, and was in this company for ninety days, during which 
time he was stationed in Platte County, near Old Weston. 

Thomas J. Higgins was married August 16, 1855, to Christina Myers, 
a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Bryant) Myers, both deceased. Mrs. 
Higgins died May 23, 1915, and is buried at Coif ey, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are the parents of the following children: 
Emma and Eobert Y., both deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of William P. 
Hutcherson, of Coffey, Missouri ; Lillian, the wife of Columbia Hiatt, and 
who is deceased ; Louisa Jane, the wife of John Galbreath, of Bethany, 
Missouri ; Abraham, of Gilnian, Missouri, who married Cora Gillilan ; and 
Joseph T., of Adams Township. 

Joseph T. Higgins owns eighty acres of land four and one-half miles 
northwest of Oilman. December 26, 1897, he mamed Lura H. Young, a 
daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth Williams Young ,of Blue Ridge, Missouri. 
Mrs. Young was a daughter of David N. Williams, an early settler of 
Adams Township, who located here in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Hig- 
gins have two sons: Hugh and Thomas B. Hugh Higgins was married 
June 1, 1921, to Gertrude Hayes, of Amnston, Alabama. 

Joseph T. Higgins is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Oilman, and 
of the Scottish Rite at St. Joseph. Missouri. He has served as collector for 
fourteen years and constable for ten years, and is well and favorably 
known throughout the county. 

When Thomas J. Higgins came to this county there were no mills 
nearer than Richmond, Ray County, more than 100 miles away. The 
neighbors would assemble their grist and one wagon would take the lot 
and get it gi-ound. At that time oxen and horses were used for mode of 
travel and in the field. The country was open prairie from Cypress to 
Sugar Creek, and the flies were so bad that teams could hardly be driven 
across the prairie in the summer. Mr. Higgins broke a great deal of 
prairie land with a yoke of oxen. When he was a boy he used to supply 
the harvest hands with whiskey and water, the men in the fields having 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 431 

their choice. He often went to Bethany with a jug, and purchased whiskey 
for twenty-five cents per gallon. 

Hugh Higgins, a son of Joseph T. Higgins, enlisted October 9, 1919, 
with the Nineteenth Company in the General Service Infantry, detached 
service, under command of the adjutant general at Washington and served 
until October, 1920. George T. Higgins, a son of Abraham Higgins, en- 
listed in the Twelfth Engineer Corps, and went overseas with the Rain- 
bow Division, and served all during the war, but was murdered March, 
1919, in France, for his money. He was a dispatch bearer, attached to 
the General Staff, and was found eight miles from camp with his motor- 
cycle and guns gone, and he had been shot in the back of his head. His 
body has been returaed and is buried at Gilman City, Missouri. 

William Galbraith, a nephew of Joseph Higgins, enlisted at Camp Tay- 
lor, Kentucky, and went overseas with the First Division. 



Lester C. Eberhardt, a progressive and well known young dentist of 
Gilman City, Missouri, was born in Downs, Illinois, April 9, 1891, the son 
of Charles A. and Mattie (Mitchell) Eberhart. 

Charles A. Eberhart was born in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, and 
his wife was bom in Downs, Illinois. They came from Illinois to Gilman 
City in 1902, where they still live. Mr. Eberhart is a farmer and stock- 
buyer of prominence in the county. To Charles A. and Mattie (Mitchell) 
Eberhart the following children were born: Floyd E., now a farmer in 
Daviess County, Missouri, and Elma Irene, twin sister of Floyd E., now 
Mrs. Allen R. Clinton, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Lester C, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

Lester C. Eberhart was educated in the public schools of Illinois and 
the Gilman City High School. He graduated from the Gem City Business 
College in Quincy, Illinois, and then entered Kansas City Dental 
College, from which he graduated in 1918. He enlisted for service in the 
World War and was sent to Camp Pike, in Arkansas, where he served in 
the Dental Corps, Dental Infirmary No. 1. He stayed here for the five 
m.onths until the close of the war, when he returned to Gilman City. He 
has been practicing dentistry here since February, 1919. 

Doctor Eberhart was married to Dewam Shaffer in Gilman City, Mis- 
souri, April 6, 1921. Mrs. Eberhart is a daughter of Oscar Shaffer, of 



432 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Amsterdam, Missouri. She was born in Missouri and was educated in 
t}ie public schools here. 

Doctor Eberhart is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons in Gilman City. He is one of Harrison County's best Icnown and 
promising young men and is deservedly popular with his large clientage. 



Franklin P. Burris, deceased, a well known pioneer of Harrison 
County, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1852, and in 1854 came 
with his parents to Han-ison County, Missouri, and settled on a farm 
now owned by the Burris estate, where Mrs. Franklin Burris now lives. 

George and Elizabeth (Henry) Burris, parents of Franklin Burris, 
moved to Bethany in 1881 and lived here until their deaths; he died in 
1893 and his wife in 1904 and both are buried in Burris Cemetery on the 
home place. Mr. and Mrs. George Burris were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Franklin P., the subject of this sketch; Weltha E. 
Mitchean, of Los Angeles, California; Sarah Cornelia, the wife of John 
M. Howell, of Davis City, Iowa; Lydia, the wife of Lawrence Hughes, of 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Mollie, deceased, the wife of Mart Daily ; Cora 
B., the wife of William Weller, the latter is deceased and the former lives 
in Oklahoma; Susie, the wife of W. N. Rucker, of Norman, Oklahoma; 
and Warren, who was accidentally killed when five years of age, and the 
other died in infancy. 

Frankhn P. Burris died December 27, 1911. Prior to his death, he 
owned the home place, which consists of more than 500 acres, eighty 
acres of which is in Bethany Township and the remainder in Cypress 
Township. 

Mr. Burris was president of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company of Harrison County for twenty years and was one of its organ- 
izers. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Woodmen of the World, Yeoman, Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Bankers Life. 

October 4, 1877, Mr. Burris was married to Emma C. Barlow, a 
daughter of James and Lucinda (Nally) Barlow, who came from Ohio in 
1865 and settled near Chillicothe where they remained until 1869 when 
they came to Harrison County. They were both natives of Ohio. Mrs. 
Burris was born in Jackson County, Ohio, and educated in the schools 
there and taught school two years prior to her marriage. She was one 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 433 

of a family of nine children and eight of them were teachers. Further 
history of the Barlow family appears in this volume. 

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Burris were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: George R., of Mt. Moriah, Missouri, who married Etta Clinken- 
beard ; J. Harvey, of Denver, Colorado, who married Gertrude Roleke ; 
W. Clay, of Bethany, who married Abbie England; F. Ed, who died at 
the age of twenty-nine years, and who was a teacher in the high school 
in Helena, Montana, prior to his fatal illness; K. Clifford, of Bethany 
Township, who married Myra Brown; Don Cabot, who died in infancy; 
L. Ruth, the wife of Raymond Carter, of White Oak Township; Joe, of 
Bethany Township, who married Zola Myers; Mary E., who lives at home 
and teaches school in this county; Grace, at home, who is a student in 
Bethany High School ; John J., of St. Joseph, Missouri ; and Robert Bruce 
at home. 

Mrs. Burris has the following grandchildren: Burris and Edward 
Carter, Elizabeth and Georgs Roscoe Burris and Anna Lee. 

The home farm was named Maplewood Farm because of the maple 
grove just east of the residence. The Burris home is a pretty one, the 
residence setting back from the road, a row of cedar trees on either side 
of the spacious yard. The cedars v/ere put out in 1880 and forest trees 
also decorate the lawn, and a large elm tree just north of the residence 
adds to the beauty of the place. 

The Burris family are well known and highly respected throughout 
the county. Mrs. Burris is a member of the Methodist Church and her 
husband was also a Methodist. 



Charles Platz. a prosperous and leading farmer of Adams Township, 
was bom in St. Joseph County, Indiana, April 14, 1859, the son of Chris- 
topher and Amanda (Hazeldon) Platz. Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Platz 
came to Harrison County, Missouri, in October, 1865, and settled on the 
farm where Charles now lives, where they lived until 1898, when they 
moved to Lincoln County, Oklahoma. At the time Christopher Platz 
located here, the place was very much run down, the residence being a log 
hut without a floor, the floor having been stolen during the war; also the 
fences were gone. The farm, which consisted of eighty acres, and which 
Mr. Platz purchased for $750.00, was formerly owned by a Mr. Spheres, 
one of the early settlers here. 
(23) 



434 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Platz were the parents of the following- 
children : William L., who was killed in a runaway accident in 1885 ; Charles, 
the subject of this sketch ; Clara F (Rice) Evans, of Marshall, Oklahoma ; 
and Ida M. Thomas, of Welston, Oklahoma. Clara Evans has three sons: 
Jesse and Ross Rice, of Idaho, and Christopher Rice, of Hennessey, Okla- 
homa. Ida Thomas has two children: Verla and Ivan. 

Charles Platz was married December 24, 1885, to Melissa Wright, 
a daughter of Ambrose Wright and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Platz lived in 
Sherman Township for four years, and eight years in Adams Township, 
prior to moving to their present farm, of 320 acres, located one-half mile 
west of Blue Ridge. This farm has two sets of improvements, two resi- 
dences, two barns, and other buildings. The residence which Mr. and Mrs. 
Platz occupy was built in 1918, and is a two story, neatly furnished home. 
Mr. Platz has an excellent orchard, consisting of 100 bearing peach trees, 
apple, plum, English walnut and persimmon trees, and he also raise? 
berries. Mr. Platz has six registered Duroc Jersey hogs, six grade Hol- 
stein heifers and a registered Holstein bull, and raises the pure bred 
Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red chickens. 

Mr. and Mrs. Platz reared Gladys Nally, who married Edgar Meek. 
She died January 9, 1920, leaving three children: Dale, bom March 17, 
1907; Viola, born April 19, 1909; and Helen, bom November 26, 1917. 
Mr. and Mrs. Platz also gave Stella Reed a home for one year, and at the 
present time Mildred and Gladys Nally are making their home with them. 

Mrs. Platz was born in Noble County, Indiana, and educated in Iowa. 
Washington, Indiana and Missouri public schools. She has taught music 
all of her life and has published three pieces of music which have had a very 
good sale. She also won a scholarship in Bush Temple Conservatory at 
Chicago, Illinois, on a piece of four score work, and has written poems for 
many years, "Old Glory" and "The Star Ahead" being among the best 
known. Mrs. Platz was state superintendent of the purity department 
for ten years and county president of the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union from 1912 to 1920, and has been connected with the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union since 1896. Mrs. Platz has very capably 
assisted in the prohibition work of the State, doing work in various coun- 
ties. She is well known as a public speaker and has composed several 
songs, both humorous and pathetic. 

Ambrose Wright, Mrs. Platz's father, was bom in New York in 1831, 
the son of Oliver and Amanda (Potter) Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 435 

Wright located in Noble, Indiana, in 1836, and lived there until their 
death. Ambrose Wright located in Ringgold County, Iowa, at the age of 
twenty-three years and entered land there. He lived in Iowa for nine 
years and returned to Indiana, coming to Harrison County, Missouri, in 
1882 and settled in Adams Township, where he has lived ever since, with 
the exception of a short time which he spent in Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Wright were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Ambrose; Jonathan, deceased; William, deceased; Charity Cramer, 
deceased; Dr. Reuben Wright, deceased; Mrs. Jane Broughton, deceased; 
and Oliver, a drum major in the Civil War. 

Ambrose Wright was married first in 1857 to Ruth Goodell, deceased, 
and they were the parents of the following children: Jonathan, Charity, 
J. A. and Lora. All of the children are deceased with the exception of 
Jonathan Wright. Ambrose Wright married a second time to Adaline 
Roth, and they were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Melissa 
Platz; Mrs. Marie Dale; Sherman E., a railway mail clerk out of Kansas 
City, Missouri ; Mrs. Fannie Johnson ; Mrs. Enoch McClure ; and Luther, 
of Oklahoma. 



Harry C. Shroyer, one of the live, progressive men of Bethany, and 
manager of the Shroyer Music Company, is a son of John W. Shroyer, 
who died March 20, 1916. 

John W. Shroyer was born in Anderson, Indiana, in 1842, and was 
educated there, but moved to Iowa when a young man and was married 
at Waterloo, Iowa, to Mary A. Krautz, of that place. Mrs. Shroyer is 
living and spends her time at Waterloo, Iowa, in the v/inter and in the 
summer stays with her son, Harry C. Shroyer. From Iowa, Mr. Shroyer 
went to Kansas, where he stayed for eighteen months, at the end of which 
time he came to Bethany and located here permanently in 1886. His 
first business venture here was in the broom manufacturing business 
when he established a plant just northwest of the square on Centra! 
Street. He organized the music company in 1893, but continued the broom 
making plant for several years afterward. John Shroyer was a member 
of the Knights of Pythias and an active G. A. R. man. During the Civil 
War he served in Company G, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. 

Harry C. Shroyer began with his father when but fourteen years of 
age. In the year 1893 he quit school on account of ill health and went 
on the wagon, driving through the county selling organs. He made his 



436 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

first organ sale in 1895 to Joe Pontus, who lived north of Ridgeway, Mr. 
Pontus paying therefor $140.00. Mr. Shroyer still does a great deal of 
outside work and the business has increased until Mr. Shroyer not only 
sells organs, but handles pianos, talking machines, player pianos and 
everything in the musical line. He recently sold the band of New Hamp- 
ton a full set of musical instruments. This company also has a branch 
at Albany, Missouri, with Norman Morgan as manager, and has four 
trucks on the road selling and delivering instruments. 

The Shroyer Music Company has an extensive business in Harrison, 
Gentry, Worth and adjoining counties and are also doing a nice business 
in Iowa. Mr. Shroyer is a hustler, working early and late, and Is the 
fourth largest dealer in Edison phonographs in the Des Moines-Sioux City 
district, selling more than $60,000.00 worth of Edisons in 1920. Mr. 
Shroyer was on the program for a talk June 21, 1921, on salesmanship, 
his subject being: "Get Out and Get It." 

Harry C. Shroyer was married to Margaret I. King, of Bethany, Mis- 
souri, December 25, 1907, and they have one daughter, Jean. 

Mr. Shroyer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of Bethany, joining when eighteen years of age, having a special permit 
on account of being a musician. He is also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias at Bethany, and a member of the National Association of Musical 
Merchants, since its organization in 1914. 

Mr. Shroyer is well and favorably known in Bethany, and takes an 
interest in the affairs of his town. 



N. B. Williams, an enterprising citizen of Oilman City, and efficient 
cashier of the Oilman Bank, was bom near Blue Ridge, December 7, 1871, 
the son of D. N. and Ruth (Newell) Williams. D. N. Williams was a 
native of New York, but reared in Ohio, and came to Missouri just after 
the Civil War and owned a farm in Adams Township, where he died in 
1895. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery. His wife was bom in Ohio 
and died in 1900. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Williams were the parents of the following chil- 
dren : B. F., of Oilman ; Mrs. Elizabeth Young, deceased ; Mrs. Viola Fair, 
Chandler, Oklahoma; T. L., of Daviess County; Luella Welden, deceased; 
Mrs. Nettie Wagoner, widow of John Wagoner, of Bethany; and N. B., 
the subject of this sketch. 

N. B. Williams was educated in the public schools and at Stanberry 
Nomial School, from which institution he was graduated, and following 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 437 

his graduation, he engaged in farming for a while, and then operated a 
hotel at Oilman, and under Roosevelt's administration was postmaster 
for five years. He was then with W. T. Dunn and Company in a general 
store at Oilman, and has been connected with the Oilman Bank since 
November, 1910, and since that time the bank has shown excellent growth. 

The Oilman Bank was organized in 1897 with a capital stock of 
$10,000.00, with Frank Vincil as cashier. Later J. B. Markey was presi- 
dent and H. C. Honan cashier, and following them were W. J. Wilden, 
president, and Charlie Burrell, cashier. These officers were succeeded by 
the present officers, who are as follows: F. B. Ray, president; C. A. 
Spruger, vice-president; N. B. Williams, cashier; J. H. Cutshall, assistant 
cashier; and Helen Doherty, assistant cashier. The present capital stock 
is $25,000.00, with surplus of $15,000.00, and $17,000 of undivided profits. 
The bank owns its building, a brick structure 25x100 feet. 

Mr. Williams was married December 25, 1900, to L. Etta Bogue, a 
daughter of Jonah and Nancy Bogue, of Oilman, Missouri. Mrs. Williams 
is a native of this county and a prominent teacher here at the time of 
her marriage. 

Mr. Williams is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Oilman. 



T. A. Doherty, a well known and enterprising druggist of Oilman 
City, Missouri, was born in Olasgow, Scotland, in 1864, and came to 
America in 1870 with his parents, T. A. and Helen Margaret (Orant) 
Doherty, who settled first in Chicago, where Mr. Doherty engaged in 
blacksmithing for a few years. He then moved to Elkhart, Indiana, where 
T. A. Doherty attended school. He learned the drug business at Belleville, 
Kansas, with his brother, and was there for about fifteen years prior to 
locating here. He bought his present store in 1913, and has one of the 
fine businesses of this county. He carries a full line of drugs, paints, 
wall paper, druggist sundries ,toilet articles, etc., and has done a vei'y 
successful business. 

Mr. Doherty was married in 1890 to Maiy A. Horan, of Jackson, 
Michigan. She died in 1899 at Trenton, Missouri, leaving a son and 
daughter: Helen M., with the Oilman Bank, a graduate of the Belleville, 
Kansas, High School; and Charles G., a graduate of the Oilman High 
School, and who is in business with his father. He enlisted at St. Joseph, 
Missouri, May 1, 1917, for service in the World War, and was sent first 



438 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

to Fort Riley, Kansas, in June, 1917, and to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, 
later, where he remained until he sailed for France in May, 1918, with 
the Thirty-fifth Division. He was in the battles of Alsace Front, Geraden- 
ner, France, at St. Mihiel, Argonne, Verdun, and was on the Metz front 
when the armistice was signed. He was discharged at Camp Funston in 
May, 1919, with more than two years' service to his credit. He says that 
his finest job at Camp Funston was when guarding the lumber piles before 
the building was done. Charles Doherty attended the Kansas University 
for one year. He passed the Missouri Board of Pharmacy November 5, 
1919, he having learned the drug business in Belleville, Kansas, with his 
father. Besides Charles Doherty, the following boys from Gilman were 
with the Thirty-fifth Division: Mark Reilly; Jesse D. Lowe, who was 
wounded; Floyd Smith; James Ivan Ray, who was wounded, and Carl 
George. 

Dr. W. T. Doherty, brother of T. A. Doherty, who is city physician at 
Wichita, Kansas, was overseas with the Eighty-ninth Division. While in 
France he was gassed. He now has charge of the Public Health Service 
at Dallas, with rank of major, and is still in the Medical Corps. 

Edmund J. Dorney, a nephew of T. A. Doherty, of Gilman, was with 
the Third Division in France, also trained at Camp Funston, and was 
gassed while in service. He was in the battles of Argonne and Chateau 
Thierry. 



Hugh F. Reilly, a prominent business man of Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 22, 1860, the son of 
Thomas and Mary (Reilly) Reilly. 

Thomas and Mary (Reilly) Reilly were both born in County Meath, 
Ireland, and were married there. They came to the United States about 
1848 and settled first in Ohio, coming to Harrison County, Missouri, in 
1866. They settled first in Adams Township for one year, then moved 
near Edinburgh, and finally to Blue Ridge. Mr. Reilly died at Blue Ridge 
in 1901 at the age of ninety-three ; his wife still lives in Gilman City and 
is now ninety-seven years old. The children of Thomas and Mary (Reilly) 
Reilly were : Patrick, who died in 1882 ; James, now living In Saline County, 
Missouri; Ella, deceased in 1874; Anna, married to Hugh Markey, of Gil- 
man City; Hugh F., the subject of this sketch; Michael, now living in 
Gilman City; and Lizzie, the widow of Robert Thomas, Springfield, 
Missouri. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 439 

Hugh F. Reilly was educated in the schools of Harrison County. He 
entered the mercantile business in Bancroft, Missouri, later moving to 
Jamesport, Missouri, and then returning to Bancroft, remaining in busi- 
ness there for ten years. For five of the years he lived m Bancroft, Mr. 
Reilly was the postmaster there. When the town of Oilman City was 
started, Mr. Reilly moved his stock of goods there and remained in busi- 
ness for four years, at the end of which he sold his stock to Higgins and 
Cavanaugh. Mr. Reilly remained in Oilman City until 1911, when he 
moved to Columbia, Missouri, to send his children to school. In 1916 he 
came to his present home, a ten room stucco house, modern in every way, 
with a concrete basement, cement cellar house and a cave. Mr. Reilly 
owns 260 acres of land adjoining the town of Oilman City, the original 
townsite having come off the southwest corner of this land. Mr. Reilly 
helped organize the Oilman City Bank in 1897 and was its efficient president 
for six years. 

Hugh F. Reilly was manied to Mary A. Jourdan, of Chillicothe, Mis- 
souri, June 11, 1889. Mrs. Reilly is a native of Kentucky and a daughter 
of Owen and Catherine Jourdan. Mr. Jourdan died in Plattsburgh, Mis- 
souri. His wife died in 1905 at Chillicothe, Missouri. 

To Hugh F. and Mary A. (Jourdan) Reilly the following children were 
born: Mary Catherine, died at the age of four years; Hugh F., a brief 
sketch of whom appears later; Nina C, graduated from the Columbia, 
Missouri, High School, graduated from the University of Missouri in 
1916, attended Columbia University, New York City, in the summer of 
1916, taught in Missouri University for one year, taught in the University 
of West Virginia for three years, and is now teaching in the Home Eco- 
nomics Department at the University of Missouri ; Mark B., a brief sketch 
of whom appears later ; Ruth R., graduated from the Columbia, Missouri, 
High School, graduated from the University of Missouri class of 1921, 
now a teacher of Vocational Home Economics in Jameson, Missouri ; and 
Esther, graduated from the Oilman City High School in 1921 and is now 
a student in St. Teresa Junior College at Kansas City, Missouri. 

Hugh F. Reilly, Jr., the oldest living child of Hugh F. and Mary A. 
(Jourdan) Reilly, attended the Oilman City High School. He then went 
to Chillicothe to school and later to St. Louis University and to Missouri 
University at Columbia, from which latter university he graduated in the 
Law Department. He was practicing law in St. Louis when the United 
States entered the World War. He enlisted at St. Louis, Missouri, March, 



440 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

1918. Sent to Camp Funston, served as a corporal, then made sergeant 
in Thirtieth Machine Gun Battahon, was detached from Tenth Division 
and made second lieutenant in Insurance Department, Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia. Was discharged in January, 1919, and is still a mem- 
ber of officers reserve. Since that time has been an attorney in Kan- 
sas City, Missouri. 

Mark B. Reilly is a gi-aduate of the Columbia, Missouri, High School, 
and a member of the class of 1922 of the University of Missouri. He 
enlisted for service in the World War in Columbia, Missouri, in April, 1917, 
and was sent first to Nevada, Missouri, then to Camp Doniphan, Okla- 
homa, later to Camp Mills, New York, and overseas April 22, 1918. He 
was with the Thirty-fifth Division and was with brigade headquarters of 
the One Hundred Thirty-ninth and One Hundred Fortieth Infantry. He 
was in St. Mihiel, Argonne, Meuse and the Vosges Mountains, and was 
gassed while in the Argonne Forest. Mr. Reilly came back home in August, 

1919. While in London, England, he attended Kings College for three 
months and is now a student in the University of Missouri, Columbia, 
Missouri. 

The Reilly family has been prominent in Harrison County for years, 
where the name stands for integrity, for uprightness and for patriotic 
service. 



Andrew J. Flint, a successful farmer of Bethany Township, and mem- 
ber of a pioneer family of this county, was bom in Sherman Township, 
two miles from his present home, November 5, 1860, the son of George 
W. and Sarah (Noah) Flint, both deceased. 

George W. Flint came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1839, when 
he was eight years of age and Mrs. Sarah Flint came here in 1838, when 
six years of age. George W. Flint died in 1900 and his wife died in 1889 
and both are buried in Antioch Cemetery. Thomas Flint, the grand- 
father of Andrew J. Flint, was one of the first settlers in Bethany Town- 
ship and held one of the first offices in pioneer days. George W. Flint 
held the office of justice of the peace when he lived at Cainsville, Mis- 
souri, and was a merchant there for many years. His first mercantile 
venture was in Bethany and later moved to Coffey, Missouri. From there 
he located in Mt. Moriah and later at Cainsville, eventually moving to 
Lorraine, Missouri, and he was prominent in a movement to move the 
county seat to Lorraine, but the effort failed. 




OWEN PAUL FLINT 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 441 

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Flint were the parents of the following 
children: Mrs. Frances Terry, of Daviess County, Missouri; Mrs. Alice 
Nichols, of Bethany; Andrew J., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Addie 
Gale, of Bethany, Missouri; Mrs. Josie Bartlett, of Clinton, Missouri; 
Charles, of Los Angeles, California; and three deceased: Minnie, George 
and Robert. Mr. Flint was married a second time to Mrs. Ruth Stretch, 
of Daviess County, Missouri. 

Andrew J. Flint was educated in the pubhc schools of this county 
and has lived on his present farm for twenty-two years. He owns sixty 
acres, all improvements put on by him. He bought forty acres from E. 
H. Frisby and twenty acres from Charlie Fordyce, and thirty-five acres of 
the farm is bottom land. Mr. Flint has raised watermelons very suc- 
cessfully for the past seven years and finds a ready market at Bethany, 
Missouri. He also does general farming and stock raising, raising the 
Jersey cattle, 0. I. C. hogs, White and Brown Leghorn and Rhode Island 
Red chickens. 

February 8, 1888, Mr. Flint was married to Ruth A. Stretch, a 
daughter of William and Tamsy (Cline) Stretch, both deceased. Mr. 
Stretch was a native of England and his wife a native of Daviess County, 
Missouri. Mrs. Flint was born and reared in Daviess County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Flint are the parents of the following children: Maude 
Alma, the wife of E. A. Stout, of Ft. Laramie, Wyoming; George W., a 
barber, of Macon, Missouri, who m.arried Ethel Bishop, of Clarence, Mis- 
souri; Owen Paul, who was born October 18, 1892 and died April 16, 
1919, further mention of whom is made below; Hugh M., of Ft. Laramie, 
Wyoming, who married Gladys Parker, of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; Alice 
R., who lives at home; and Clayton J., who lives at home and assists in 
operating the home farm. 

Owen Paul Flint enlisted in Company G, of the 4th Missouri Infantry, 
June 18, 1916 and went to the Mexican border, where he remained several 
months, returning from the border at the beginning of the World War, 
when he was promoted to sergeant and going overseas with the 35th 
Division. He was in the battles of Grand Balleu sector, June 19, 1918; 
Wessenburg sector, July 16, 1918; St. Mihiel, September 13, 1918; Arg- 
onne, September 26th to October 2, 1918. He died at Brest, France, at 
the St. Nazaire hospital from pneumonia, April 16, 1919, and his remains 
have been returned home and are buried in Antioch Cemetery. He was 
on scout duty while in France and was one of the best men that his 



442 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

colonel had according to the colonel's report. He could have evaded the 
war on account of agricultural pursuits, but he said: "No, dad, if my 
country needs me, I want to serve it." 

Russell Gale, a cousin of Owen Paul Flint, was also in Company G 
of the 35th Division and was captured in the Argonne Forest on Septem- 
ber 28, 1918, and was kept prisoner until the armistice was signed. He 
now lives at Gillett, Wyoming, on a government claim. 

Andrew J. Flint has been prominent in the affairs of his township 
and county. He is a Republican and has filled the office of constable for 
the past ten years; he has also served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff A. 
H. Flint. He is a member of the Yeoman lodge. 

Mr. Flint, in 1904, was awarded a silver medal and diploma on corn, 
having shown 100 ears of what is known as the mortgage lifter corn. He 
has experimented in producing seed corn since 1903 and is one of the 
best posted men in this section concerning this interesting and important 
branch of agriculture. He is a member of the Church of Christ. 



G«orge A. Richardson, the present capable and popular manager of 
the Miner Frees Lumber Yard in Gilman City, Missouri, was born in Mon- 
roe, Wisconsin, May 28, 1852, the son of Asa and Phoebe A. (Watson) 
Richardson. 

Asa and Phoebe A. (Watson) Richardson both died in LawTence, 
Kansas, where they had moved in 1870. Their children were: Sarah A., 
deceased; Flora E., now Mrs. Coleman, of Pasadena, California; George A., 
the subject of this sketch; May E., deceased; Nora Alma, now Mrs. Wal- 
lace, of Durango, Colorado; D. A., now living in Nevada; Fred 0., of 
Lawrence, Kansas; Hennan 0., of Abilene, Kansas; Mabel E., now Mrs. 
Pontius, of Lawrence, Kansas; Ernest Arthur, of Lawrence, Kansas; and 
011a G., later Mrs. Bigsby, and now deceased. 

George A. Richardson was educated in the public schools of Monroe, 
Wisconsin, and later attended the Wisconsin State University and the 
State University of Kansas. In 1890 he came to Missouri and was engaged 
in farming in Harrison County until 1900, when he accepted a position 
with the Miner Frees Lumber Company. He held this position for about 
two years, and then was made manager of the Gilman City Yard, which 
place he has filled most successfully for nineteen years. The Miner Frees 
Lumber Yard in Gilman City covers five city lots, and carries a full line 
of building materials. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 443 

Mr. Richardson was married to Frances M. Miner, of New Hampton, 
Missouri, October 19, 1883. She is a daughter of S. E. Miner and a sister 
of E. S. and W. A. Miner. She was born and educated in Wisconsin, and 
was a teacher in Monroe, Wisconsin, for several years prior to her 
marriage. 

To George A. and Frances M. (Miner) Richardson the following 
children were born: Asa Verne, deceased at the age of thirtp-six in 1921. 
married to Beatrice Proper, and was a merchant in Grand Junction, Colo- 
rado, where his widow and son, George A., are living ; Etta May, now Mrs. 
W. L. Browning, of Broadwater, Nebraska ; Fannie Mina, married to Haver 
Bruner, and have six children, Marjorie, Miner, Fannie Olive, Charline and 
Haver Lyall ; Flora, living at home, is assistant cashier of the Citizens 
Bank, Oilman City, Missouri; Edwyl E., holding the position of assistant 
at the Miner Frees Lumber Yard, married to Gussie Lee Lovingier, and 
having two children, Neva May and Shirley Lee. 

Mr. Richardson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Order of Eastern 
Star. He has an excellent standing in the town and is liighly esteemed. 



F. M. Williams, well known retired fanner and mei chant living in 
Oilman City, Missouri, was born January 1, 1852, near Coffey, Daviess 
County, Missouri, the son of W. and Matllikla (Williams) Williams. 

W. Williams was born in Kentucky in 1818. He located in Indiana, 
then left that state and came by water to Lexington, Missouri, later 
settling in Daviess County. He served in the Civil War as a member of 
the Missouri State Militia. He died in Harrison County, near Oilman City, 
in 1898. His wife, Matilda (Williams) Williams, was born in Kentucky 
in 1820, and died in 1895. To W. and Matilda (Williams) Williams the 
following children were born : George, who died at the age of twelve in 
Daviess County ; Mary, deceased ; John, deceased ; Martha, deceased ; Em- 
maline, the wife of Joseph Mullen; W. H., deceased; F. M., the subject of 
this sketch ; and Lafayette, who was serving as the mayor of Oilman City 
at the time of his death, on March 25, 1921. 

F. M. Williams was educated in the public schools of the county, and 
has made his own way in the world since early boyhood. He followed 
farming in Harrison County until twenty-one years ago, when he moved 
to Oilman City, Missouri. He entered the coal business and remained in 



444 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

that work for some time, but is now retired. He is a stockholder in the 
Citizens Bank of Oilman City. He was on the building committee of this 
bank and was a director for one year. 

Mr. Williams has been married twice; the first time to Luella How- 
ard, December" 28, 1876. Mrs. Williams was a daughter of S. L. and Ada- 
line (Ellis) Howard. Mrs. Williams died in 1905 and is buried in Coffey, 
Missouri. F. M. and Luella (Howard) Williams had one daughter, Daisy, 
who married S. F. Gannon, and who died at the age of twenty-eight. Mr. 
Williams was married the second time to Georgiann Land, of Gilman 
City. She is a native of Illinois and was educated in Iowa. 

Mr. Williams is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
at Gilman City, and is a member of the Christian Church. He is a sub- 
stantial and reliable citizen of his community. 



Edgar A. Aten, one of the retired farmers of Cypress Township, Har- 
rison County, Missouri, was bom in Jackson County, Ohio, January 2, 
1854, the son of Aaron and Margaret (Vandevert) Aten. 

Aaron Aten was born in Pennsylvania, and later moved to Minnesota, 
where he died in 1856. His wife, Margaret (Vandevert) Aten, was born 
in Pennsylvania, and died in Jackson County, Ohio. Aaron and Margaret 
(Vandevert) Aten had two children: Melissa, now the widow of John R. 
Wilson, of Jackson County, Ohio; and Edgar A., the subject of this sketch. 
By a later marriage of Mrs. Aten she had one son, Oscar Bennett, now 
living in Jackson County, Ohio. 

Edgar A. Aten was educated in the public schools of Ohio. He came 
to Harrison County, Missouri, to visit his uncle, William Vendevert, in 
1871; and in 1877 he located ten miles south of Bethany, Missouri, on 
Big Creek in Cypress Tov/nship. In 1879 he bought a farm of 167 acres, 
which he later sold. He remained on his farm in Cypress Township for 
over forty years, doing general farming, stockraising, and some shipping. 
At present he owns 100 acres of land in Daviess County, Missouri, and 
is living on a five acre place at the west edge of Gilman City. He bought 
his present home from G. A. Richardson in August, 1919. Mr. Aten has 
a good two story, modem house, neatly kept yard, a small orchard in 
which he has a variety of fruits. Here he is enjoying a well earned 
retirement from business. 

Mr. Aten was married to Jane Hawk, March 14, 1878. Mrs. Aten 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 445 

was born in Jackson County, Ohio, and came with her parents, John and 
Synthia (Burris) Hawk, to Missouri when she was seven years old. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hawk were among the early settlers of Cypress Township, Har- 
rison County, where they both died. 

To Edgar A. and Jane (Hawk) Aten one daughter was born: Lillie 
M., now Mrs. M. S. Jarrett, of Coffey, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett 
have four children, as follows: Erman E., married to Rada Musick and 
now living in Spencer, South Dakota; Romaine Frances, now Mrs. P. R. 
Tibbs, of Daviess County; Avie Jane, at home; and Willard Aten, now 
nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Aten have also two great-gi^andchildren : 
Fontel Musick Jarrett, and Margaret Elizabeth Tibbs. 

Mr. and Mrs. Aten are members of the Christian Church at Bridge- 
port, Missouri. They are estimable people and have the esteem of their 
entire community. 



W. E. Puis, a highly esteemed farmer living in Adams Township on 
Route No. 3 from Oilman City, was born in Scotland County, Missouri, 
February 2, 1878, the son of J. A. and Margaret Puis. 

J. A. Puis was too young to enlist for service in the army during 
the Civil War, but he went anyway and, while not on the roll, he is really 
a veteran of the war. He lives in Harrison County. His wife died in 
Scotland County, Missouri. To J. A. and Margaret Puis the following 
children were born : Dosie, now Mrs. Mattick, of Scotland County ; P. E., 
living in Eagleville, Missouri; Rena, now Mrs. Cunningham, of Scotland 
County, Missouri; P. F., living in Lewiston, Idaho; Mada, the wife of C. 
M. Wagner, of Bethany, Missouri ; W. E., the subject of this sketch ; P. C, 
living in Bethany, Missouri; and Cora, now the wife of John Nighthart, 
of Pattonsburg, Missouri. 

W. E. Puis received his education in Scotland County. He was in 
Oklahoma on a farm for four years, and came to Harrison County twenty- 
two years ago. He owned 160 acres of land in Bethany Township which 
he sold in 1918. He then bought his present farm of 200 acres in the 
northeast corner of Adams Township, four and one-half miles north of 
Oilman City. He keeps a part of his farm in pasture, ninety acres in 
corn and the remainder in other grains. He has a good residence, a barn 
56x60 feet, other farm buildings, good water for his stock and a good 
well and spring. 



446 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Puis was married to Leah Montgomery in 1897. Mrs. Puis is a 
daughter of John and Lydia Montgomery, of Scotland County, both now 
deceased. Mrs. Puis was bom and reared in Scotland County. 

To W. E. and Leah (Montgomery) Puis two children have been born: 
Bernice, married Laura Black and lives in Sherman Township; and Lois, 
married William Richter, of Cypress Township. 

Mr. Puis is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in Bethany, 
Missouri. He is a man who is well and favorably known for his integrity 
and for his community interest. 

He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Christian 
Union Church. 



Hugh Markey, a well known farmer of Adams Townghip, near Gilman 
City, Missouri, was born in Caibon County, Pennsylvania, October 30, 
1837, the son of Philip and Rose (McEnroe) Markey. 

Philip Markey died in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1869, and is buried 
there. His wife died in Daviess County, Missouri, in 1882 and is buried 
in St. Johns Cemetery in Gilman City. The children of Philip and Rose 
(McEnroe) Markey were : Catherine, now Mrs. Farren, of Hancock County, 
Illinois; Mary, deceased, who was Mrs. Honan; Hugh, the subject of this 
sketch ; Bernard, deceased ; John B.. now in Kansas City, Missouri ; and 
Rose, now Mrs. McManus, of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Hugh Markey was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and 
Adams County, Illinois, and graduated in penmanship from Eastman Busi- 
ness College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He has several ink drawings 
which are his work and which show unusual ability., 

Mr. Markey came to Missouri in 1859 and settled in Daviess County, 
where he improved a farm just west of Bancroft. He moved to Adams 
Township, Harrison County, where he had bought a farm two years 
previously, in 1880. He now owns 543 acres of land in Adams Township 
known as the "St. John's Fann." The old St. John's Church originally 
stood on this place. Mr. Markey has a good house, a good barn, and sev- 
eral stock buildings. The lawn at the front of his house is set with Scotch 
pines, which make a striking entrance to the house. Mr. Markey 
had, at one time, one of the best Shorthorn herds in the county, and was 
an extensive stock feeder. 

Hugh Markey was married to Anna M. Reilly, of Daviess County, 
June 27, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Markey have seven children, all of whom 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 447 

graduated from the Wichita, Kansas, High School and the Sisters' School 
of that place. The children are : Rose E., a teacher in the business college 
at Wichita, Kansas; Leo T., now with the Home Deposit Trust Company 
at Independence, Missouri; Bessie Elizabeth, married to A. F. Adams, an 
architect of unusual ability, working with a Chicago, Illinois, firm; Hugh 
F., a student for two years some time since in Kansas University, and 
now with the Exchange State Bank at Burns, Kansas, married Gladys 
Brady, of Independence, Kansas ; Mary E., now Mrs. A. C. Gillespie, of 
Wichita, Kansas; John P., connected with the Exchange State Bank at 
Wichita, Kansas, married Regina Reilly, of Wichita, Kansas; and Irene, 
a graduate in domestic science from the Wichita College, and now doing 
laboratory work in Wichita. 

Hugh F. Markey enlisted for service in the World War, but was re- 
jected because of his eyesight. After special effort he was accepted and, 
because of his excellent book work while in the army, was given a com- 
mission of second lieutenant. 

Mr. and Mrs. Markey have three grandchildren: Mary C. Gillespie, 
Robert Hugh and Leo Thomas Markey and Dorothy Adams. 

Mr. Markey has a home in Wichita, Kansas, where he spends the 
winters. He is justly esteemed both in his Kansas place of residence and 
in his Missouri home. He is one of the influential and reliable citizens 
of his community. 



Benjamin S. Hagerty, proprietor of White Elm Stock Farm and prom;- 
nent farmer of Sugar Creek Township, was born in Sangamon County, 
Illinois, February 18, 1851, the son of H. L. and Elizabeth (Jordan) 
Hagerty. 

H. L. Hagerty came to Missouri in 1855, driving overland to Harrison 
County, where he entered 320 acres of land and improved it. The Gilman 
City Cemetery is located on this land. Mr. Hagerty died on his farm in 
1862 and is buried in Mitchell Cemetery. His wife, who died in 1891, is 
buried in the same cemetery. 

To H. L. and Elizabeth (Jordan) Hagerty the following children 
were born: Martha, who married Thomas Elwood and died in Arkansas; 
Jonathan, who died in Vicksburg, Mississippi, while serving in the United 
States Army ; J. A., who died on the home place ; James, who died on the 
home place at the age of forty-seven ; Nancy, who married William Taylor 
and died in Fremont, Nebraska ; Benjamin S., the subject of this sketch ; 



448 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Susan, who died on the home place ; Otis, a railroad man, who died in St. 
Joseph; Charles, who died in Red Oak, Missouri; and Alice, who married 
J. T. Endicott and died in Fremont, Nebraska. 

Benjamin S. Hagerty was educated in the public schools of Harrison 
County and has lived here all of his life. He bought the eighty acres of 
land one-half mile east of Oilman City where he now lives, and by inheri- 
tance received forty acres more. He has improved his land himself, build- 
ing his house in a millet patch. He has two barns and a large stock shed 
and other well kept farm buildings. He does general farming and stock- 
raising, in which vocations he has been very successful. 

Mr. Hagerty was married to Ellen Knight, July 3, 1874. Mrs. Hagerty 
died in 1886, leaving two children : Maude, now the wife of Joe McGaffey, 
of Gordon, Nebraska ; and Charles Otis, who lives on the home place. Mr. 
Hagerty was married the second time to Mrs. Sarah Campbell, whose 
maiden name was Harper. She is a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Sarah H. 
(Campbell) Hagerty has three children: Joseph, who lives in Kansas City, 
Missouri; Fred, now living in Scott's Bluff, Nebraska; and Clare, the wife 
of Artie Speedleburg, of Tacoma, Washington. 

Mr. Hagerty is a substantial citizen and deservedly stands high in 
the estimation of his friends and acquaintances. 



James H. Joyce, a leading and well known farmer of Cypress Town- 
ship and member of a pioneer family of Harrison County, was born on 
the farm where he now lives, October 2, 1870, the son of W. W. and 
Sarah (McKibbon) Joyce. W. W. Joyce came to Missouri from Ohio in 
1856, but i-eturned to Ohio and lived there until 1865, when he again came 
to Harrison County and settled in Cypress Township, where Mr. Joyce 
did general farming and dealt extensively in stock and at the time of 
his death in 1894, owned 500 acres of land. Mrs. Joyce died in 1891 
and both she and her husband are buried in Burris Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. VV. Joyce were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Cornelia J. Barlow, of Springfield, Colorado; R. J., of Bridgeport, 
Missouri; James H., the subject of this sketch; George K., of Bethany, 
Missouri ; and Mary Maude Abbott, of Kansas. 

James H. Joyce received his education in the district school of Cypress 
Township and attended the Pattonsburg High School two terms and has 
made his home in Cypress Township all of his life. He has owned the 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 449 

home farm of 120 acres since 1896, but has added land to his farm until 
he now owns 280 acres where he lives and he also owns forty-five acres 
east of Bridgeport and a farm near Coffey, Missouri, making a total of 
361 acres in his possession. Mr. Joyce does general farming and raises 
cattle and hogs. He has a registered Shorthorn bull and keeps Poland 
China hogs. The farm is well improved with a good two-story, six room 
residence, two barns for stock and other buildings. 

Mr. Joyce was married December 15, 1920 to Stella Skinner, a 
daughter of W. H. and Sarah Skinner. Mrs. Skinner lives in Bethany, 
but her husband died in 1914 and is buried in Bethany. 

Mr. Joyce is a progressive and enterprising citizen and he is well and 
favorably known in Harrison County. 



Willis 0. Black, a prominent farmer of Sugar Creek Township, Har- 
rison County, was born in this township, February 9, 1869, the son of 
Albert R. and Cornelia (McCammon) Black. 

Albert R. Black was born in Kentucky, but came to Missouri in the 
early days. He was a teamster in the Union Army during the Civil War, 
but was not listed. He died October 12, 1912, and is buried in Coon Creek 
Cemetery. His wife, Cornelia (McCammon) Black, died in October, 1869, 
and is also buried in Coon Creek Cemetery. Their only child was Willis 
0. Black, the subject of this sketch. Albert R. Black was married the 
second time to Elizabeth Turner, of Bethany, Missouri, and they had the 
following children: Lockey, Zula, Robert, Glen wood and Fines. 

Cornelia (McCammon) Black was the daughter of the Rev. William 
McCammon, a pioneer Baptist preacher in northwest Missouri. He was 
iiorn in Clay County, Kentucky, January 4, 1811, and came to Missouri 
in 1837, settling in Grundy County, then Livingston County, where he 
continued to live until his death, August 13, 1893. He entered the land 
upon which his gi'andson, the subject of this sketch, now lives, and at 
the time of his death owned land in Grundy, Daviess and Harrison Coun- 
ties. He organized the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Harrison 
County, helped organize the West Fork Association and was one of the 
moderators of the association for nine consecutive years. He was called 
upon often to preach the annual sermon, and throughout his life was one 
of the prominent men of the county both in religious and in civic affairs. 

Willis 0. Black was educated in the public schools of Harrison County, 

(24) 



450 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

his first teacher being Mrs. Melvin Buren at Hagerty School District. He 
has made his home on his present farm since 1897. He owns 28OI/2 acres 
of land a mile east of Oilman City in Sugar Creek Township. He does 
general farming and stock raising. For the past three years he has done 
his plowing and run his binder with a Fordson tractor. His farm is well 
kept and shows the effect of his progressive methods. 

Willis 0. Black was married to Nettie L. Payne, a daughter of James 
and Laura (Devorss) Payne, October 25, 1896. Mrs. Black's father, 
James Payne, was born in Kokomo, Indiana, and now lives in Oilman City. 
Her mother, Laura (Devorss) Payne, was bom in Daviess County and 
died at the age of thirty. She is buried in Antioch Cemetery, Daviess 
County. To James and Laura (Devorss) Payne the following children 
were born: Anna Alberta, deceased in infancy; Orville, deceased in in- 
fancy; Nettie L., wife of the subject of this sketch; and Lura L., the wife 
of John Kern, of Oilman City. 

To Willis 0. and Nettie L. (Payne) Black the following children were 
born: Cliva, now on the home place with her husband, Roy Norris, who 
was in the United States Army from July, 1918, to February, 1919, sta- 
tioned at Camp Funston and at Baltimore, Maryland, with the Tenth Di- 
vision, Ambulance Company No. 237 ; Laura, now Mrs. Bernice Puis, of 
Sherman Township; Lucille, a teacher in the public schools at Oilman, 
Missouri; Virgil, a student in the Oilman City High School; Vincen, died 
at the age of nine months ; and Maxine. 

Mr. Black is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
is one of the substantial citizens of Harrison County, standing high in the 
esteem of his community. 



Otho Powell Nisbeth, reliable young proprietor of the Nisbeth Motor 
Company in Oilman City, Missouri, was born in Bevier, Missouri, April 
30, 1899, the son of J. W. and Ora (Powell) Nisbeth. 

Both J. W. Nisbeth and his wife were born and reared in Bevier. Mr. 
Nisbeth is at present in the real estate business, with which he has been 
connected for several years. Before he took up his present work he was 
an extensive dealer in hardware, conducting stores at Bevier, Stanberry, 
Callao, Brunswick and Noving, Missouri. In May, 1920, he and his son 
established the Nisbeth Motor Company in Oilman City. The company 
has a building 50x100 feet, which affords space for the excellent business. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 451 

The firm has done a good business in the sale of Ford cars, Fordson trac- 
tors, and in the handling of all kinds of repair work. 

Otho Powell Nisbeth received his education in Bevier, graduating 
from the Bevier High School in 1918. After his graduation he conducted 
a garage in Bevier, and received the training for his present position. 
He came to Oilman City and bought out the interest which his father 
held in the Nisbeth Motor Company in January, 1921. 

Otho Powell Nisbeth is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons in Oilman City. He is a promising young man whose business 
success is fully established. 



Dr. M. J. Quinlan, an able and prominent dentist of Oilman, Missouri, 
was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, October 3, 1881, the son of John 
and Margaret Quinlan. Mrs. Margaret Quinlan lives in Maryville, Mis- 
souri, and her husband is dead. 

Dr. M. J. Quinlan was educated in the University of Illinois, and was 
graduated in 1905 in dentistry, and opened an office in Oilman, Missouri, 
the same year, where he has since practiced. 

During the World War Doctor Quinlan enlisted July 30, 1917, and 
was in the Dental Corps, stationed at Oglethorpe, Oeorgia. He was mus- 
tered out at that place January 5, 1920, and returned to Oilman. He was 
promoted to captain in March, 1920, and is now in the Dental Reserve 
Corps. 

Doctor Quinlan was married in 1906 to Myrtle Clayton, who has been 
in the War Risk Department service since March, 1920, and who will not 
be released until in July, 1921. She is stationed at Washington, District 
of Columbia. Doctor and Mrs. Quinlan have a daughter, Margaret. 

Doctor Quinlan is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks. He is a progressive type of man and has an excellent practice. He 
has always taken a commendable interest in the affairs of Oilman and 
has many friends here. 



W. D. Haines, a progressive and well known merchant of Oilman, 
Missouri, who is in the furniture and undertaking business, was born in 
Sugar Creek Township, January 25, 1877, the son of Walker P. and Nancy 
Haines. Mrs. Nancy Haines died in 1878 and her husband is living at 
Oilman, Missouri, at the age of seventy-five years. He was bom in In- 



452 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

diana and came to Missouri when twelve years of age, and during the 
Civil War was in the Missouri State Militia. He owned and impi'oved a 
farm near Oilman, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Walker P. Haines were the parents of the following 
children: Minerva, the wife of B. F. Dewitt, of Oilman; Moses E., of 
Winnipeg, Canada ; Thomas, deceased ; Hattie, the wife of W. G. Davisson, 
of Oilman; W. D., the subject of this sketch. 

By a later marriage of Mr. Haines he had the following children: 
Osa, the wife of Allen Bowen, of California ; Carrie, deceased ; Joseph W.. 
of Colorado; and James W., of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

W. D. Haines was educated in the public schools and for the past 
twenty years has been in business in Oilman, Missouri. He was in the 
drug business for five years, and for fifteen years has conducted his 
present establishment, having purchased same from Haghson and Carter. 
He owns a comer building, 33x100 feet, and carries an extensive line of 
merchandise. He has a fine stock, well displayed and has a splendid trade. 
Mr. and Mrs. Haines are both licensed embalmers. 

Mr. Haines was married September 2, 1912, to Minta B. Morris, a 
daughter of James F. and Irene Morris. Mr. Morris died in 1918 and 
Mrs. Morris is now living in Oilman. Mrs. Haines was born in Daviess 
County, Missouri, and received her education in the public schools there. 

Mr. and Mrs. Haines conduct their business without any assistance, 
and they have an extensive acquaintance throughout the county. 

Mr. Haines is a member of the Masonic Lodge, also a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges, and 
both Mr. and Mrs. Haines are members of the Order Eastern Star. 



James L. Slatten, an excellent citizen and successful farmer of Sher- 
man Township, was born in this township, March 24, 1860, the son of 
Tyre and Julia (Coy) Slatten, both deceased. Tyre Slatten was a native 
of Kentucky, but located in Illinois for a few years and came hei'e in 
1856. He moved to Arkansas twenty years prior to his death in 1914. 
His wife died in Sherman Township in 1919 and both are buried in 
Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, Missouri. Lewis Coy, the grandfather of 
James L. Slatten, came to Harrison County from Indiana in the fifties and 
settled in Sherman Township, but later moved to Bethany Township, 
where he died. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 453 

Mr. and Mrs. Tyre Slatten were parents of the following children: 
Mrs. Anna Hilliard, deceased; James L., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. 
Lizzie Low, of Texas; Charles, whose address is unknown; Mrs. Ruth 
Stout, of Colorado; and Amon, of Maryville, Missouri. 

James L. Slatten was educated at Hickory School and his first teacher 
was Alice Goodell. He moved to his present farm, which he bought from 
his father, in 1887, and he also owns 180 acres of the home place. Mr. 
Slatten's farm is well improved with one and one-half story residence, 
good barn, silo, garage, poultry houses, and other buildings. When Mr. 
Slatten moved here, the farm was in hazel and buck brush, and hickory 
and oak trees and without fence, except the east eighty, which had been 
plowed. Mr. Slatten does general farming and stock raising and keeps a 
good grade of stock, which consists of registered males Hereford cattle 
and Duroc Jersey sows with Poland China male. 

Mr. Slatten was married in February, 1883, to Rosetta Bartlett, a 
daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Bartlett, of Ridgeway, Missouri, and 
died October, 1918, at the age of fifty-six years, and is buried at Bethany, 
Missouri. Mrs. Slatten was born near Bethany, Missouri. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Slatten were born seven children: Lizzie, the wife of Bert Guyman, 
of Bethany, Missouri ; Nathan, of Cypress Township ; Essie, the wife of 
Cliff Selby, of Bethany ; Edith, the wife of Forest White, who lives in 
Kansas; Harlan, of Sherman Township; and Amon and Elva, who 
live at home. The following are the grandchildren : Deloris, Victor, Roscoe 
and Bedonna Guyman; Albert and William Slatten; Ellen and Gerald 
White, and Don Selby. 

Mr. Slatten has filled the office on the township board of Sherman 
Township and is widely and favorably known in this part of the county. 



Welcome E. Osborn, a successful farmer of Sherman Township, and 
proprietor of Shady Home Farm, was born in Decatur County, Indiana, 
May 3, 1857, the son of Joseph C. and Harriett (Hazen) Osborn. The 
latter was a cousin of Judge Hazen, of Topeka, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph Osborn located in Daviess County, near Bancroft, in 1870, where 
they both died, and are buried at Pilot Grove Baptist Church. Joseph 
Osborn died at the age of eighty-seven years and his wife when seventy 
years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Osborn were the parents of the following chil- 



454 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

dren : Mrs. Caroline Henderson, of Gilman, Missouri ; Corra, of Oilman. 
Missouri ; J. W., of Redding, Iowa ; Mrs. Tamson T. Hendricks, of Billings, 
Oklahoma; Welcome E., the subject of this sketch; Cyrus, of Texas; Mrs. 
Eoletta Patterson, of Gilman, Missouri ; Mrs. Mary Barngrcve, of Oilman, 
Missouri; John, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Mrs. Lizzie Ouinn, of Oilman; 
Charles, of Gilman. Ira Osborn, the oldest child, died wh-en thirteen years 
of age, and Rosetta, a twin of Mrs. Patterson, died when three years old. 

Welcome E. Osborn was educated in the schools of Daviess County 
and lived there until 1882, when he bought eighty acres in Sherman 
Township, where his residence is now located. He later added 180 acres, 
and recently sold forty acres to his son, Paul V. Osborn. The residence is 
six miles east of Bethany, and is modern throughout. All of the improve- 
ments were put on the farm, by Mr. Osborn, which cinsists of two barns 
and other good buildings, and the water is piped from a pond to the west 
pasture and there are five wills, including two on his son's place. 

Welcome Osborn was married December 19, 1880, to Sylvia A. Moulin, 
a daughter of Peter and Isabell (Gulp) Moulin, both early residents of 
Daviess County, Missouri. Mr. Mouhn was in the Missouri State Militia 
during the Civil War. He died at the age of sixty-six years, his wife 
died when eighty-four years old, and both are buried at Hill Cemetery in 
Daviess County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moulin were the parents of the following children: 
Anderson, lives in Daviess County ; Louis, of Gilman, Missouri ; Mrs. Mary 
L. Dawson, deceased ; Mrs. Martha J. Lierley, deceased ; Mrs. Osborn ; 
Mrs. Lura A. Meek, of Blue Ridge, Missouri ; John F. ; Sylvester P. ; Charlie 
A., and Emera L., the last four named live in Daviess Count, and their 
postoffice is Gilman. 

Mr. and Mrs. Osborn had two children: Lura Roletta, who was born 
November 12, 1881, and died February 27, 1911 ; and Paul V., born Novem- 
ber 7, 1892, and lives on the home farm. He married Alma J. Foster, a 
daughter of Green Foster, of Bethany Township, and they have a daugh- 
ter, Beula Lurola. Lura Loretta Osborn married George D. Gates, and 
they were the parents of a son, Daniel G., who lives with his father in 
Daviess County, Missouri. 

Welcome E. Osborn is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America 
and the Woodmen of the World lodges. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are meni- 
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church at Gilman, Missouri, also his son, 
Paul v., and wife, as was his daughter, Lura Loretta. The Osborn family 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 455 

have been identified with the Baptist Church for five generations and 
Welcome E. Osborn has always been active in church work. 

Mr. Osborn has turned the active management of the place over to 
his son, Paul V., who carries on general farming and stock raising. He 
raises registered Durham cattle. 



Vincent B. Brandom, a prominent farmer and breeder of Adams Town- 
ship and proprietor of Clover Crest Stock Farm, was born in Albany, 
Colorado, September 24, 1887, the son of S. W. and Etta Lura (Boyce) 
Brandom. Mrs. S. W. Brandom, who was a daughter of Daniel D. Boyce, 
died in Gallatin in Maj% 1918. Daniel D. Boyce was a pioneer of Sherman 
Township and entered land there, and at the time of his death, which 
occurred when he was sixty-four years of age, he owned 600 acres of 
land in Sherman and Adams townships. S. W. Bandom is now living at 
Gallatin, Missouri. He and his wife were the parents of the following 
children: Vincent B., Ralph W., of Jamesport, Missouri; Charles D., of 
Gallatin, Missouri; and Lena, of Gallatin, Missouri. 

Vincent Brandom was educated at Grand River College at Gallatin, 
Missouri, and for the past twelve years has been engaged in farming. He 
owns eighty acres and operates 320 additional acres in Sherman Town- 
ship. He is a breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs, and the head of the herd, 
"Walt's Orion Colonel," came from Ira Jackson's herd in Ohio. He also 
has a sow by "Pathmaster" bred in Algona, Iowa.. Mr. Brandom has 
200 head of registered hogs on his farm and twenty-four brood sows. He 
is one of the most successful breeders! in the county, and conducts a 
yearly sale. 

Mr. Brandom was married June 11, 1909, to Loie E. Jamison, a daugh- 
ter of J. T. and Emma L. (Palmer) Jamison, of St. Joseph, Missouri. J. 
T. Jamison is a retired farmer and well known in Buchanan County. Mrs. 
Brandom was born at Gower, Missouri, and educated at Hardin College 
at Mexico, Missouri, and finished a course of music and expression at 
Curry School in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Brandom have two 
sons: V. Boyce, Jr., and Allen J. 

Mr. Brandom is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Bethany, 
Missouri, and is secretary of the Harrison Farm Bureau, having held 
this office since its organization in 1918. 

Mrs. Brandom owns forty acres of land in Buchanan County, Mis- 



456 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

souri, and is a stockholder in Swift's Packing Company and the United 
Steel Corporation. 

For the past three years Mr. Brandon has operated his farm with a 
Moline Universal tractor, plowing, planting and cultivating and harvest- 
ing with this tractor, which takes the place of six horses. Mr. Brandom 
is progressive and enterprising, and one of the substantial citizens of 
Harrison County. 



John L. Youngs, of Cypress Township, one of the well known and de- 
pendable farmers of this section, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 
7, 1845, the son of William H. and Love (Salmon) Youngs. William 
Youngs came to Harison County, Missouri, in 1847 and settled in Cypress 
Township on a farm which is now owned by J. W. Joyce. He died at the 
age of ninety-four years and is buried in Hatton Cemetery. His wife 
died when ninety-three years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Youngs were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Mrs. Hannah Hatton, deceased; Thomas, who died in California; 
William, deceased; John L., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Carter, 
deceased ; Mary E. Vandevort, of Cypress Township ; Mrs. Pauline Rice, 
deceased ; Mrs. Sarah Ray and Ben L., of Cypress Township. 

John L. Youngs was educated in Cypress Township in Young's dis- 
trict and the school house was built by his father. Mr. Youngs enlisted 
at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1862, in Company E of the 23rd Missouri In- 
fantry and served two years and eight months in the Civil War. He was 
only seventeen years old when he enlisted and ran away from home. He 
was shot in the right hand, three fingers being broken, in the battle of 
Atlanta, Georgia, and he was with Sherman on his March to the Sea. He 
saw service in many battles and skirmishes, and in fact was in all the 
battles of the 3rd Division of the 14th Army Corps. He was mustered 
out at St. Louis, Missouri, July 18, 1865 and returned home. In 1873, 
Mr. Youngs was married to Sarah Hatton, a native of Cypress Township 
and daughter of John J. and Mary (Hunt) Hatton. Mrs. Youngs died in 
1907 and is buried in Hatton Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Youngs were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: George Edwards Hatton, on the home place, who married Dora 
Henry, of Cypress Township, and who has a son, John L. Youngs, Jr.; 
Mack Hatton, deceased, who married Anna Plymel, and who left two chil- 
dren, Vetrus and De Young; May, who died at the age of thirteen years; 




JOHN L. YOUNGS 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 457 

Clyde, of Cypress Township, who married Loren Hill and they have four 
children, Goldie, Lester, Donald L., and Luther R. 

Mr. Youngs is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Coffey, 
Missouri, and is the only surviving Civil War veteran of Cypress Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Youngs owns 150 acres, where he has made his home for the past 
forty-seven years and his present residence has been built for thirty 
years. Mr. Youngs is one of the substantial citizens of this county and 
has a host of friends. 



Robinson H. Gale, now deceased, was a prominent and prosperous 
farmer of Sherman Township and was born in Lake County, Illinois, Au- 
gust 21, 1857, the son of E. W. and Olive Relief (Harrison) Gale. Mr. 
and Mrs. E. W. Gale came to Missouri in 1869 from Illinois and settled 
on the farm which was owned by Robinson H. Gale. The farm consists 
of 320 acres, and is located five miles east and one mile south of Bethany, 
Missouri. E. W. Gale died here in June, 1897, and his wife died March 
16, 1911. Mr. Gale was postmaster at Thomas, a postofRce which was on 
his farm and which was established through his efforts. 

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Gale were the parents of the following children: 
Warren, who was killed at the battle of Whitewater Bridge in the Civil 
War, he having enlisted in the Union Army in Wisconsin under Captain 
Shepman with Company E, First Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers ; Serianious 
was a soldier of the Civil War, he died in 1883 on the home place ; Ida May, 
who died when nineteen years of age in Illinois ; Robinson H., the subject 
of this sketch, who died October 10, 1921 ; and Ada May, who died when 
five years of age. 

Robinson H. Gale was educated in Sherman Center School of this 
township, and had been engaged in farming practically al! of his life. He 
carried on general farming and was very successful, enterprising and 
progressive. 

Mr. Gale was married February 15, 1878, to Rosetta Robinson, of Fox 
Creek Township, a daughter of Henry Robinson. Mrs. Gale was bom in 
Fox Creek Township and died November 28, 1888, at the age of twenty- 
eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Gale were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Ada Adelma, the wife of C. H. McElhiney, who now lives on the 
home place; Ida Velma, a twin of the Ada Adelma, who died in infancy; 



458 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Claude Henry, deceased ; Pearl Rose, the wife of Thomas Stretch, of Ender, 
Nebraska; and Olive Relief, deceased. 

Mr. Gale married the second time in 1891 Addie M. Flint, a daughter 
of George and Sarah Flint, of this county. They were the parents of three 
children: Russell K. ; Beulah, the wife of James Aginer; and Lucille, the 
wife of Bruce Mallory. 

The grandchildren of Robinson H. and Rosetta Gale are as follows: 
James A., Naomi R., Lola L., Mabel M. McElhiney, and Olive, Opal, Alice 
L., Charles J. Stretch. To Robinson H. and Addie M. (Flint) Gale the 
following grandchildren were bom: Mary L. Aginer, and Bruce G. 
Malloi-y, Jr. 

Russell K. Gale, who now lives on a claim at Gillette, Wyoming, en- 
listed from Harrison County, Missouri, with Company G, and was sent 
to the Mexican border. When he returned from the border he was dis- 
charged and then ve-enlisted for the World War, and went overseas with 
the Thirty-fifth Division. He was promoted to second lieutenant and 
was in the battle of Argonne and St. Mihiel and was captured at Argonne 
Forest. He was kept prisoner for several months, but returned home 
safely. 

The Gales are well known in Harrison County and are highly regarded 
among their many friends and acquaintances. 



Louden Samuel Brown, a wide awake and progressive farmer of Fox 
Creek Township, and pioneer of Harrison County, was born in a cabin 
which still stands on the farm he now owns, January 28, 1865, the son of 
William Louden and Ann M. (McBude) Brown, both deceased. 

William Louden Brown was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri 
in the fifties and entered eighty acres of land in Sherman Township, and 
120 acres in Fox Creek Township. The Bondurant and Chariton families 
preceded the Brown family here by a few years. William. Louden Brown 
was accidentally killed while unloading a sawlog at a Grand River saw- 
mill. His wife died April 16, 1914, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Brown were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Sarah E., widow of Marshal Linthacum ; Etta, the wife of Frank 
McGowan, of Sherman Township ; Mary Alice, the widow of Oliver Clink- 
enbeard, of Bethany, Missouri; and L. S., the subject of this sketch. 

Louden Samuel Brown was educated in the school of Bondurant dis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 459 

trict. the first school he attended being in a log building. Mr. Brown 
bought out the heirs of the home place, and has an excellent farm, well 
improved, with good residence, two large barns, grain barn, etc., and the 
farm is well watered with ponds and wells. The residence is situated on 
the Ben Hur trail, seven miles north of Oilman and ten m.iies southeast of 
Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. Brown raises Whiteface cattle, with registered males, grade hogs, 
and feeds cattle and hogs each year. Mr. Brown also does his house work 
and hires help to do his farming. He is a very successful, wide-awake 
farmer and besides his numerous duties, finds time to do a great deal of 
reading, thus keeping abreast with the news of the day, and with the 
latest developments along agricultural lines. 



Oscar J. Clinkinbeard, an interesting and prominent pioneer of Har- 
rison County, was born in Mercer County, Missouri, May 14, 1849, the son 
of George W. and Susan C. (Rhea) Clinkinbeard. George Clinkinbeard was 
a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, born in 1817. He went to Arkansas 
with his parents, Jonathan Clinkinbeard and wife, and his father died 
there, and he and his mother returned to Kentucky. After a short time, 
they came to Missouri and lived for a while in Buchanan County, then 
moved to Mercer County, and eventually locating in Fox Creek Township, 
where George Clinkinbeard entered 320 acres of land in 1855. He lived 
there until 1883 and then moved to Bethany, Missouri, where he died in 
1888 and is buried in Goshen Cemetery in Mercer County, Missouri. His 
wife died at Mt. Moriah several years later, and his mother, who came 
here with him, died here and is buried at Nebraska City, Nebraska. 

In pioneer days, the nearest neighbor of George Clinkinbeard on the 
north was John Prater, who lived near the present site of Mt. Moriah. 
His nearest neighbor on the east was H. C. Hamilton, three and one-half 
miles away, and on the south a man by the name of Pilcher, who lived 
three and one-fourth miles from Mr. Clinkinbeard, and on the west, John- 
son Queen, who lived one and one-half miles distant. Mr. Clinkinbeard 
built a log house on his place in which he lived for a few years and then 
built a frame house which was blown down. His third residence is now- 
standing. Besides engaging in farming, Mr. Clinkinbeard was also col- 
lector of his township. He married Lizzie Foreman, who died and is 
buried in Buchanan County, Missouri, fifteen miles southwest of St. 



460 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Joseph. His second wife was Susan C. Rhea and they were the parents 
of the following children: Sebeit M., deceased; Oscar J., the subject of 
this sketch; Otwa L., of Genoa, Colorado; Oliver B., who died in Bethany; 
Spartan R., of Bethany; 0. H., deceased; and Lennie, who died in infancy. 

Oscar J. Clinkinbeard was reared in Fox Creek Township and at- 
tended the Brown school, now the New Hope school. His first teacher 
was Cyrus Tiffany, who belonged to a pioneer family of this county. 

Oscar J. Clinkinbeard has followed farming here all of his life. He 
owns 240 acres of land in section four, eleven miles east of Bethany, and 
all of the improvements were put on by him. Mr. Clinkinbeard does gen- 
eral farming and stock raising and has been very successful. He also 
has filed membership on the township board, and has many friends in 
this community. 

March 12, 1871, Oscar J. Clinkinbeard was married to Sarah A. 
Hamilton, a daughter of H. C. and Catherine (Hickman) Hamilton. H. 
C. Hamilton ran a ferry boat across the Grand River in pioneer days. He 
died in 1890 and his wife died a few years later and they are buried in 
Hamilton Cemetery in Mercer County, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clinkinbeard are the parents of two children: Oren 
L., born December 22, 1871 ; and Bertie Leola, deceased. She was born m 
1873 and was the wife of Bert Leggitt. 

Oren L. Clinkinbeard died December 14, 1910. His wife, who was 
Mary Ellen Cruzan, is now living in Bethany, Missouri, and has two chil- 
dren: Avonalle Florence, who married Eugene Sutherland; and Olive 
Orlean. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Leggitt were the parents of four children: 
Edith Irene, the wife of L. T. Hamilton, of Mercer County, Missouri ; Coyle 
B., the wife of James Dewitt of Oilman, Missouri ; Chester .A, of Fre- 
mont, Nebraska; and Bruce A., of Denver, Colorado. 

The great grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar J. Clinkinbeard are: 
Harley Hamilton, Gretchen and Eva Hamilton, Dorothy Doris, Oscar 
DeEtta and Virginia Dewitt, and Thomas Leggitt. 

Oscar J. Clinkinbeard is a substantial citizen and member of the 
Clinkinbeard family are well known and highly respected in the com- 
munity. 



Charles W. Hunt, a leading farmer of Fox Creek To^\^lship, and mem- 
ber of a pioneer family of Harrison County, was born near Ridgeway, 
Missouri, March 21, 1869, the son of Joseph Hunt and Sarah E. (Rake- 
straw) Hunt. Mrs. Hunt was later married to John Wilev and now lives 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 461 

with her son, Charles W. Hunt ; she is seventy-four years of age. Joseph 
Hunt, a veteran of the Civil War, is in the Soldiers' Home at Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hunt were the parents of the following children : 
Mrs. Bell Williamson; Mrs. Cora Isenbarger; Charles W., the subject of 
this sketch ; Mrs. Stella Wiley ; and Jesse, of South Dakota. By a second 
marriage of Mrs. Hunt to Mr. Wiley, she has two children; Arthur, of 
South Dakota; and Carwin, of Waterloo, Iowa. 

Charles W. Hunt was educated in the public schools and has lived in 
this county all of his life, with the exception of two years he spent in 
Kansas. He bought 169 acres of his present home in 1909 from a Mr. 
Makelin, and he now owns 209 acres in Fox Creek Township. Mr. Hunt 
has remodeled his house and barn and has put two sets of improvements 
on the farm. In 1921, he built a new crib and other buildings suitable for 
farm and stock use. Mr. Hunt has an orchard and he does general farm- 
ing and stock raising, and has one of the best farms in this vicinity. 

In January, 1890, Mr. Hunt was married to Columbia Stotts, a daugh- 
ter of W. M. and Ellen Stotts. The father is now deceased and the mother 
lives in Fox Creek Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have four children: Sarah, the wife of Amer 
Sallee, of Fox Creek Township; Alice, the wife of Riley Burton; William, 
who lives at home; and Mary, the wife of Ernest Sails, of Columbia, 
Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have a granddaughter, Violet Columbia. 

Mr. Hunt is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of 
Harrison County. 



Jacob M. Bender, a well known and excellent citizen of Sherman 
Township, of pioneer parentage, was born in White Oak Township, May 
11, 1867, the son of John W. and Margaret E. (Funk) Bender. Mrs. 
Bender was a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Funk, both deceased. She 
lives in New Hampton, Missouri, and is seventy-four years of age. John 
W. Bender was born in Ohio, but came to Missouri about the year 1854, 
and settled in White Oak Township, one and three-fourths miles north- 
east of New Hampton, where he died in October, 1919. He is buried in 
Foster Cemetery. He was a soldier of the Civil War, having enlisted 
at Bethany, Missouri. 

John W. Bender and wife were the parents of the following children : 
William, of Chetopa. Kansas; Jacob M., the subject of this sketch; R. F., 



462 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of Mound Ridge, Kansas; Etta, the wife of Bert Dillon of Carmen, Okla- 
homa ; John and Rose, who were twins, the former lives near New Hamp- 
ton and the latter is deceased ; Viola, deceased, was the wife of Ed Howery 
of Fairview, Oklahoma; Warren, of Canton, Oklahoma; Hattie, the wife 
of John E. Smith, of White Oak Township; Walter, of New Hampton, 
Missouri; Maggie, the wife of Edgar Claytor, of Bethany Township; and 
Stella, who lives at home. 

Jacob M. Bender was educated in the common schools and after finish- 
ing his education, he engaged in carpenter work at New Hampton for 
nearly thirty years and also farmed at the same time. He moved to his 
present farm, known as the Uri Hallock place, in 1905. This farm con- 
sists of 250 acres and is situated three miles east of Bethany. Since 
moving here, Mr. Bender has built a modern, eight room residence, two 
barns, well equipped and there is also another residence on the farm. Mr. 
Bender does general farming and stock raising and is very successful. 

November 29, 1905, Mr. Bender was married to Ora Hallack, a 
daughter of Uri and Electa (Fuller) Hallack. Uri Hallack was born in 
Ohio in 1840 and died in 1917, and his wife was bom in Ohio in 1837 
and died in September, 1916. They had lived in Harrison County forty- 
nine years prior to their death, locating here in 1867. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hallack were the parents of the following children: 
Hymen and Barton, of Grant Township; John, of Bethany Township and 
Mrs. Bender. Mr. Hallack was a thresherman here for many years and 
was a blacksmith by trade. He also was a breeder of Englishire horses 
and later in life moved to Bethany and engaged in the implement business. 
Mr. Hallack was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted at Centerville, 
Iowa. He was shot through the arm in battle during the war. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bender have four children: Electa, Hallack, Paul and 
Worth. Mr. Bender is public spirited and patriotic and one of Harrison 
County's foremost citizens. 



Dr. Jerome A. Kintner, a noted hydropathist and electrician and 
superintendent of the Heilbron Sanitorium of Bethany, Missouri, was born 
at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1855, the son of Rudolph and 
Sallie (Gronner) Kintner, the latter a native of Holland, and the former 
a native of Bavaria, Gennany. Rudolph Kintner was reared in Berlin 
and his father was a noted physician of Berlin. Both Rudolph and Sallie 
Kintner died in Pennsylvania, he in 1881 and she in 1911, and they are 
buried at Stroudsburg. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 463 

Dr. Jerome A. Eantner took his first training in Germany under 
Doctor Sailor of Berlin, and has followed his present vocation since a 
young man. He has worked at different watering places in the United 
States and Europe, and the sanitorium of which he is at present superin- 
tendent, is located one mile west of Bethany, Missouri. The building is 
four stories and also has a basement; it is furnished elegantly through- 
out and is completely modem. Doctor Kintner has accommodations for 
one hundred guests. The elevation of the building is one hundred and 
thirty feet above the surrounding country. Doctor Kintner is a very 
capable man and has never ceased to be a student. 

Dr. J. A. Kintner was married the first time at Bismark, Dakota, 
September, 1879, to Flora Weister, of St. Paul, Minnesota. She died in 
1887 at Kansas City, Missouri, leaving the following children : Nina, who 
was born in Helena, Montana, and died December 7, 1919, at the age of 
forty years, in St. Paul, Minnesota; Rudolph, who is on the Orpheum 
Circuit, with headquarters at New York City, who was born in 1883, and 
is a noted comedian ; Beatrice, born in Bismark, Dakota, in 1886, and who 
died with the influenza in October, 1918, was the wife of Charles W. 
Allen, of St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Doctor Kintner married Laura Jones, of Albany, Missouri, a daughter 
of P. W. and Betsey (Little) Jones, at Siloam Springs, Gentry County, 
Missouri, April 7, 1894. Mrs. Kintner was born, reared and educated 
in Gentry County. Doctor and Mrs. Kintner have five children: Doris 
Corinne, a music teacher in St. Joseph, Missouri ; Gretchen Theodosia, the 
wife of Dr. G. E. Ford, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Wilhelmina, who attends 
school in St. Joseph ; Winifred Bettie May, who also attends school in St. 
Joseph; and Jerome, Jr. 

Doctor Kintner's sanitorium is one of the best in the state, and he 
ranks as one of the first citizens of Harrison County. 



S. C. Spence, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Grant Town- 
ship, is a native of Harrison County. He was bom in Jeflferson Township 
about five miles north of Bethany, January 29, 1875, and is a son of Arch 
and Charlotte (Maniwaring) Spence, the former a native of Virginia and 
the latter of Harrison County. 

When Arch Spence came to Harrison County he first settled in White 
Oak Township and later removed to Jefferson Township where he is now 
engaged in farming. To Arch and Charlotte (Maniwaring) Spence, were 



464 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

born two children: S. C, the subject of this sketch, and Guy who is 
engaged in farming in Jefferson Township. 

S. C. Spence was reared in Jefferson Township and educated in the 
district school. He began farming for himself in Grant Township on a 
farm of 120 acres which he bought in 1903. He added sixty acres to that 
and sold his farm of 180 acres in 1919. Later he bought 139 acres which 
is his present home. This place is situated one and three-fourths of a 
mile east of Ridgeway on the Mount Moriah road. This is a valuable 
farm and is well improved. Mr. Spence carries on general farming and 
stock raising and takes more than an ordinary interest in the livestock 
business. He is shipper for the Ridgeway Livestock Association. 

November 2, 1899, Mr. Spence was married to Miss Efiie Buzzard, a 
native of Grant Township and a daughter of Henry Buzzard, who is now 
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Spence have been born five children as fol- 
lows: Gertie, married George Arkle and they live near Lorraine, Har- 
rison County ; Irene, Hubert, Alva and Marvin. 

Mr. Spence is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Pythias, American Brotherhood of Yoeman and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. He is a dependable citizen and widely and favor- 
ably known in Harrison County. 



Elisha Allen Scott, deceased, was an early settler in Harrison County 
and had many friends in this part of the state. He was bom in Beaver 
Count.v, Pennsylvania, in 1843, but moved with his parents to Jackson 
County, Ohio, in 1845, and, in 1856, his parents located on a farm near 
Pleasant Ridge Church, Cypress Township, Harrison County. Isaac Scott, 
the father of Elisha Allen Scott, was a native of Scotland and his wife, 
Sarah Anna Vezie, was born in Ireland. 

Elisha Allen Scott enlisted in Harrison County, Missouri, with Com- 
pany I of the 1st Missouri State Militia under Captain Burris and served 
for three years and six months in the Civil War. He was wounded in 
the leg while in service and was taken prisoner, but was paroled a few 
days afterward. Mr. Scott died in 1909 and is buried in Pleasant Ridge 
Cemetery. 

He was married February, 1872, to Emily J. Carter, a native of 
Daviess County, Missouri, and daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
(Woodard) Carter. Thomas Carter was married a second time in Daviess 
County, Missouri. He died in 1873 and his wife died in 1874. By his 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 465 

first marriage, Mr. Carter had the following children : Franklin, deceased ; 
John, deceased, and McKinney, who lives in Pattonsburg, Missouri. By 
his second marriage, Mr. Carter had the following children: D. W., of 
Coffey, Missouri ; T. C, deceased and Mrs. Emily J. Scott. 

Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Allen Scott were the parents of nine children: 
James F., of Los Angeles, California ; W. C, who lives on the home place ; 
Adolph, deceased; Charles, deceased; Bessie, deceased; Nellie E., deceased; 
Ben, of Oakland, California; Rex, deceased; and OUie, the wife of Allen 
Woods, of Los Angeles, California. 

For the past seven years Mrs. Scott made her home in California, but 
is now living on her farm in Cypress Township. She owns 176 2/3 acres 
of land which she and her husband purchased about thirty-two years ago. 

Mr. Scott was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at 
Bethany at the time of his death. He was highly respected and was one 
of the substantial citizens of Harrison County. 



George Arney, a well known retired farmer of Bethany, Missouri, 
was born in Tennessee, November 9, 1854, the son of John W. and Mary 
Elizabeth (Wilber) Arney. John W. Arney was bom in North Carolina, 
but went to Tennessee in boyhood and later came to Missouri and settled 
in Daviess County with David Arney, a brother. In the gold excitement 
of 1849, he crossed the plains with ox teams to California and was there 
several years. He then returned to Tennessee for awhile, finally coming 
to Harrison County, where he bought forty acres in Fox Creek Township, 
and later bought 100 additional acres where he lived until his death. 
During the Civil War he was with Company E, 23rd Missouri Infantry 
for two years. He and his wife are buried in Springer Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Arney were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: George, the subject of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of George 
Arney, deceased, who lives in Grundy County, Missouri ; Mrs., May Pli- 
cher, Mrs. Vina Bairley, Clarinda Campbell, John W. and Emma, all de- 
ceased. 

George Arney was educated in the public schools in Wooderson dis- 
trict, and, with the exception of two years, which he spent in Panhandle, 
Texas, he has lived in Fox Creek Township, until seven years ago, when 
he moved to Bethany, Missouri. He owned 240 acres which he improved 
and operated successfully, selling this farm in 1919 to his son James. Mr. 
(25) 



466 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Arney was road overseer of his district for eleven years and filled this 
office capably. 

George Arney was married in 1878 to Hannah Hughes of Sugar Creek 
Township, a daughter of James Hughes and wife, pioneers of that town- 
ship. Mrs. Arney died July 29, 1917. She and her husband were the 
parents of the following children : James, on the home farm ; Thomas, 
of Bethany, Missouri; J. D., of California; Lummie, wife of Homer Hogan, 
of Fox Creek Township; Floyd Arney, of Fox Creek Township; Orson, of 
Fox Creek Township; Laura is the wife of Bert L. Neff, of Sherman 
Township; Rie, the wife of Boyce Dickover, near Marshalltown, Iowa; 
and Rue, the wife of A. E. Butcher, of St. Joseph, Missouri. 

George Arney was married the second time June 5, 1919, to Mrs. 
Olive Musser Mickael, a daughter of Henry H. and Barbara E. (Dayton) 
Musser. Henry Musser was htorn in Pennsylvania in 1830 and died 
December 29, 1906, and his wife, who was born in Ohio in 1843, died 
March 7, 1917. Mr. Musser is buried in the National Cemetery at Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, and his wife is buried in Lone Rock Cemetery, Hamilton 
Township, Harrison County. They were married in Caldwell County, 
Missouri, and settled in Lincoln Township, Harrison County, in 1865, 
where Mr. Musser preempted 160 acres of land, afterward selling eighty 
acres. The farm was four miles northeast of Hatfield. Mr. Musser was 
a Civil War veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Musser were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Mrs. Arney, born July 19, 1866; Hester E., the wife of 
Thomas Moore, who died February 3, 1907 ; Clarence, who was born in 
1873, and died in infancy; LeRoy S., who was in Ajo, Arizona, the last 
time he was heard from. 

Olive Musser was married the first time, September 23, 1885, to 
George B. Mickael, who died January 22, 1894, and is buried in Lone Rock 
Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. George Michael were the parents of the follow- 
ing children : Bertha, born September 16, 1886, the wife of Donald Allen, 
of Kansas City, Missouri ; Osie M., born July 18, 1889, who died April 19, 
1918, and is buried at Bethany, Missouri, was the wife of Louis Conda; 
Elmer A., born July 13, 1893, and died when twenty-seven years and four 
days old, and who was a veteran of the World War, having been overseas 
with the 35th Division, Company G, and who served on the Mexican border 
prior to going overseas. After the war closed, he learned aviation and, 
while in flight at Winfield, Kansas, was killed by an accidental break of 
the plane, which caused him to fall. He is buried in Bethany. Mrs. 
Arney has a grandchild, Polly Lee Allen. Mr. Arney has twenty-five 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 467 

grandchildren and one great grandchild, Vada Arney, a daughter of Verne 
Arney. 

George Arney was six years of age when his parents settled in Fox 
Creek Township and remembers many interesting incidents of the early 
days. Their nearest neighbor was Robert Woolridge and the prairie was 
open and unimproved. His father drove oxen from Tennessee to Mis- 
souri, and these were used to break the prairie. He traded his ox team 
for the forty acres of land, and cut and split rails for fifty cents per 
hundred. He paid $20.00 for a cow. His wife spun the wool and made 
the clothes for the family for many years. The one room log house was 
always large enough for company, as well as the family and beds made 
on the floor served for the family when visitors arrived. 



Mary Frances (Buck) England, widow of George England, a well 
known pioneer of Bethany, and one of the oldest residents of this county, 
was born in Tennessee, February 17, 1838, and came to Missouri with her 
parents, David Buck and wife, in 1840. David Buck, deceased, settled at 
that time on the present site of Bethany, which was then a brush patch. 
Clement and John Oatman were the first settlers at Bethany, and they 
started a store here and Doctor Oatman was the first physician here. 
David Buck and wife first lived east of the present site of Doctor Rey- 
nolds' residence. Their home was a one story, log cabin, about 14x16 
feet, with a ladder which served as a stairway. David Buck married 
Rebecca Barnes of Tennessee, and they were the parents of four children : 
Catherine, who married Joseph Bartlett; Mary Frances England, the sub- 
ject of this sketch ; James, deceased ; and Sarah Elizabeth Eads, deceased. 
David Buck died January 25, 1895 and his Avife died March 26, 1889 ; both 
are buried in Miriam Cemetery at Bethany. 

Mary Frances England was married to George England in 1855. The 
brothers and sisters of George England were: Lloyd England, Mrs. Jane 
Linville, Mrs. Nancy Miller, Mrs. Matilda Planck, and James England, all 
deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. George England moved to Martinsville on a farm shortly 
after their marriage and their children were born and reared on this 
place, which consisted of 200 acres. Their children are: Clayborn, of 
Geary, Oklahoma; David, who died in 1915; James, a farmer in Dallas 
TowTiship; John, of Bethany, Missouri; Marcy C, who lives with her 



468 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

mother in Bethany, and who was educated in the schools of Dallas Town- 
ship; Joseph, of Phoenix, Arizona; Beffie, the wife of Jesse Frank, of 
Bethany, Missouri ; Orley, of Bethany, iVIissouri, and an infant son, de- 
ceased. 

Mrs. England has an excellent memory and recalls many of the old 
settlers, also interesting incidents of pioneer days. She attended her first 
school in a small pole or log house on Buck Run, and says that this house 
was so small that it looked like a children's playhouse. Miles Jennings 
was her first teacher and her next school was a log building just north 
of Allen Park. Meetings were held at the cabin home of David Buck and 
the first court that Mrs. England remembers was held here; was also held 
in his cabin. Her uncle, John S. Allen, was instrumental in starting 
religious meetings here. 

Mrs. England has the following grandchildren: Lloyd and Doak Eng- 
land, Mrs. Altha Scott, Mrs. Abbie Burris, Muriel Nancy, Carl, James, 
David, Don, Alma, Alice, John, Cloyd, Shirley, Birley, Marie, Elaine and 
Lucille England, Mrs. Fay Shumate, Archie and George Frank. 

The great grandchildren of Mrs. England are; Harold and Daryl 
England, Margaret and Henrietta Scott, Elizabeth Burris, Lucille Burris, 
deceased; Carl, Marvin Lee, and Martha Henrietta England, Nellie Shu- 
mate and Lloyd Layman. 

Mrs. England says that when they began to survey the town site of 
Bethany, a large rattlesnake was killed in the brush and the town was 
called Rattlesnake Town for quite a while by the early settlers. 

Mrs. England is an interesting lady and a highly respected and 
honored citizen. 



Fred Tucker, the efficient and popular sheriff of Harrison County, 
was born in Madison Township, Harrison County, February 26, 1894, the 
son of U. G. and Laura (Thompson) Tucker, and the grandson of Joseph 
Tucker. 

Joseph Tucker came to Madison Township in the early pioneer days, 
took up land and improved it. He died on the farm and was buried in 
Oak Lawn Cemetery. His son, U. G., was a carpenter by trade. He 
spent his life in Harrison County and for one term filled the office of pre- 
siding judge of the county court. He died in 1916 and is buried in Oak 
Lawn Cemetery. His wife, Laura (Thompson) Tucker lives now at 
Kingsville, Missouri. 

To U. G. and Laura (Thompson) Tucker the following children were 
born: Roy, a salesman at Des Moines, Iowa; Gladys, deceased; Ernest, a 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 469 

farmer at Ravenna, Mercer County, Missouri; Horace, a salesman for an 
automobile firm at Kingsville, Missouri; Fred, the subject of this sketch; 
Lawton, now living in Iowa ; Hazel, a teacher at Rockport, Missouri ; and 
Opal, a student in the Kingsville High School. 

Fred Tucker was educated in the public schools and graduated from 
the Kingsville High School. He learned the trade of mechanics and, at 
the time the World War began was working at his trade with Davis and 
Shaw at Kingsville, Missouri. He entered the United States amiy, Octo- 
ber 4, 1917 and was sent to Camp Funston, where he remained nine 
months with the 356th Infantry. He was sent then to New York and 
from there he went overseas with the 89th Division and was stationed 
at Lifall Le Grande, France, training for open warfare work and bayonet 
practice. In August, he was sent to the St. Mihiel front and on Septem- 
ber 12, 1918, he went over the top. He received a machine gun wound in 
the right foot on November 9, 1918, at the battle of Argonne Forest and 
was in Base Hospital No. 10 for two weeks. After his recovery from his 
wound, he was sent to Germany with the Army of Occupation and re- 
mained there from December, 1918, until the latter part of May, 1919. 
He was sent back to the United States in June, 1919, and went directly 
to Camp Funston where he was mustered out of service the latter part 
of June. 

Fred Tucker made the race for the office of sheriff of Harrison 
County and was elected in November, 1920, taking office January 1, 1921. 
Mr. Tucker is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Bethany, 
Missouri, and of the American Legion, Wilson-Axline Post. Mr. Tucker 
is capable and energetic. He belongs among the group of younp; men of 
Harrison County who having received training in the World War and 
having proved their mettle, can be depended upon to uphold high staadard? 
of efficiency for their community. 



James Madison Neville, ex-sheriff of Harrison County, was born in 
Hart County, Kentucky, May 22, 1847, the son of James Morgan and 
Lilly Ann (Brooks) Neville, both natives of Kentucky. In 1850, three 
brothers, James Morgan Neville, John R. Neville and Henry O. Neville 
came to Harrison County and took up land. J. M. Neville bought the 
squatters rights from John Simpson in Marion Township, four miles north 
of Ridgeway. Big Creek ran through the farm but most of the land was 
wild prairie. Henry 0. Neville settled on the farm from which the 



470 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

present site of Blythedale was taken. J. M. Neville improved his farm of 
240 acres and soon became pi-ominent in the county. He was elected to 
the state legislature once before the Civil War and again after the close of 
the war. In 1858 he was a judge of the north district. His brother, 
Heniy 0., was also a member of the legislature. 

The three Neville brothers married three sisters, daughters of George 
Brooks who lived in the Taylor Grove settlement. All three of the 
brothers served in the Civil War. James Morgan was colonel of the Home 
Guard Militia and captain of a company stationed at Gallatin, serving in 
the Union army. His brother, Henry 0., was a lieutenant-colonel in the 
Union army. Third Missouri Cavalary. The third brother, John R., served 
three years in the Union army, enlisting in Illinois. The name of Neville 
appears also on the Confederate side of the Civil War. A younger 
brother of the three named above, George, came to Missouri in 1859, 
taught school that winter and returned to Kentucky in 1860. When war 
broke out he enlisted in the Confederate army and was a commissioned 
officer. His wife was a native of Tennessee whose father was a slave 
owner. ' 'J-t 

From this brief account, it will be seen that the Neville name has 
been well known in Harrison County since the pioneer days. In trans- 
forming the wild prairie land into well kept farms, in giving political 
service to the county and in serving the Union, the Nevilles have done 
their share ably. James Morgan Neville died in 1906; his first wife. 
Lilly Ann (Brooks) Neville died in 1865. The remains of both are buried 
in the Blythedale Cemetery. 

To James Morgan and Lilly Ann (Brooks) Neville the following chil- 
dren were born: Martha, Mrs. J. A. Painter, died in 1914; George W., a 
retired farmer in Dighton, Kansas ; Henry H., retired and living in Kan- 
sas City, Missouri ; Loraine. Mrs. Baker, now deceased : Lavina, Mrs. 
Richardson, of Myers Falls, Washington; James M., the subject of this 
sketch; and John, now in Fort Morgan, Colorado. By a second marriage 
of James Morgan Neville to Mrs. Elizabeth Updyke, there were three chil- 
dren: C. W., of Portland, Oregon; Minnie, Mrs. Bridges, of Eagleville; 
and May, Mrs. Brown, of Ridgeway. 

James Madison Neville was educated in the common schools of the 
county. The building was constructed of logs which had formerly been 
used in the making of his old pioneer home. Here he, with the other 
children of his day, suffered their share of the hardships of the early 
settlers and conned over their lessons amidst the discomforts of those 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 471 

days. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Neville enlisted in Company E, Forty- 
third Missouri for service in the Civil War and his regiment was in the 
battle at Glasgow. He returned home to farm and was married July 4, 
1866 to Angeline Hall, a daughter of Joe and Martha Hall of Eagleville. 
The Hall family were early settlers of Harrison County. Mr. Hall, who 
was a merchant, died at Eagleville in 1883 at the age of sixty-one and his 
wife died at Bethany in 1898. The remains of both are buried in the 
Eaglesville Cemetery. 

For two years after his marriage, Mr. Neville continued to farm. In 
1868, however, he began to clerk for his father-in-law and, in 1881, he 
came to Bethany. He was the deputy sheriff under W. H. Gillespie for 
more than there years and, in 1890, was elected sheriff of Harrison 
County, serving for four years. Since the explication of his term as sheriff 
he has lived at Bethany where he owns the half block upon which his 
residence is situated. 

Mr. and Mrs. Neville have four children: Mrs. Myrtle White, died 
July 5, 1921 ; Lillian, who was county superintendent of schools for six 
years, now the wife of E. W. Prentiss, the postmaster of Bethany; Maud, 
the wife of F. M. French, a merchant at Cainsville ; and Clyde, a veteran 
of the Spanish American War, a veteran of the Philippine Insurrection, 
and of the World War in which he enlisted in the coast artillery from 
Portland, serving overseas. One grandson, George N. Allen, served in 
the coast artillery in the World War and was one year in France. There 
are two other living grandchildren, Kathleen C. White and Garland N. 
White. A granddaughter, Lucile Allen, died in 1907. 

Mrs. Neville is a member of the Rebecca Lodge and all of the family 
are members of the Methodist Church. The Neville family has always 
given its services to the county and is well and favorably known in this 
part of Missouri. 



Joseph F. Slinger, the capable superintendent of the Bethany Water 
and Light plant, was born in the town where he still lives on August 15, 
1872. He is the son of John and Ruth (McClure) Slinger, both deceased. 

John Slinger's father was an Englishman who left his native country 
and came to the United States in the early days. He settled in Sugar 
Creek Township, Harrison County. He is buried in Cat Creek Cemetery 
in Grundy County. John Slinger grew up in Hari-ison County and when 
the Civil War came he enlisted from his county and remained in service 



472 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

for three years, holding the rank of first lieutenant of Company E, 
Twenty-third Missouri. At the time of his death in 1873 he held the office 
of county clerk. His wife, Ruth (McClure) Slinger, died January 12, 
1S20, at the age of seventy-two. Both are buried in Bethany. 

To John and Paith (McClure) Slinger the following children were 
born: Oliver, living in Winnemucca, Nevada; Mollie, now Mrs. Hefner, 
living with her brother, Joseph F. ; James William, now living in Medford, 
Oregon; and Joseph F., the subject of this sketch. 

Joseph F. Slinger received his education in the public schools, gradu- 
ating from the school at Bethany. He was in the implement business in 
Bethany for a number of years. For the ten years just before the out- 
break of the Spanish American War, he served in the Missouri National 
Guards. When war was declared with Spain, he took a full company 
from Harrison County and, with his company and holding the commission 
of captain, he went into service on April 27, 1898. He was sent first to 
Washington, D. C. and from there to Middleton, Pennsylvania, then to 
Greenville, South Carolina, where he and his company were mustered out 
of service February 10, 1899. 

Upon his return to his home, Captain Slinger was with the Bethany 
Mills for three years. He then accepted a position with the Bethany 
Light plant and, in 1902, he was elected superintendent of the Light and 
Water plant, which position he has filled most creditably ever since. The 
city owns both the plants and the eflficiency of both has been increased 
to the highest capacity under the management of the present superin- 
tendent. 

Captain Slinger is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at 
Bethany and has filled the office of city collector for three temis. His 
continuous terms of service to his town are ample attestations to his 
Qualifications as a citizen. 



Chris E. Klindt, an energetic farmer and stockman of Cypress Town- 
ship, was born in Germany, December 8, 1865, the son of David and 
Christina Klindt. David Klindt now lives in northwestern Iowa at the 
age of eighty-five years and his wife died March 4, 1915, at the age of 
seventy-six years. David Klindt came to America in 1887 and settled in 
Sac County, Iowa. 

Chris E. Klindt came to the United States in 1883, at the age of six- 
teen years and worked by the month for nine years at from $16.00 to 
$20.00 per month. He then rented land for eleven years and came to 



p 

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> 

a 




HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 473 

Harrison County, Missouri, in 1903 and bought 140 acres, his present 
home, for $35.00 per acre. Mr. Klindt has put all of the improvements 
on the place, including new residence built in 1920, three barns and other 
buildings. The farm has excellent stock water, which is pumped by a 
wind mill to three pastures. Mr. Klindt raises Shorthorn cattle and 
Spotted Poland China hogs and does general farming. The farm is 
located five and one-half miles southeast of Bethany on the Gallatin road 
and is one of the finest farms in the county, most of it being in clover and 
timothy. 

Mr. Klindt was married in Sac County, Iowa, in 1892, to Kathrina 
Frank, a daughter of Christopher and Lena (Egnel) Frank, both deceased. 
Mrs. Klindt was born in Lee County, Illinois and educated in Iowa, where 
her parents settled in 1873. 

Mr. and Mrs. Klindt have four children: Charles D., a farmer of 
Cypress Township, who married Esther Taggart; he also taught school in 
this county for ten years and was one of the best teachers in this part 
of the state ; Ernest, who married Ollie Spence, is a farmer in Adams 
Township; Alma, the wife of Wiley Hall, of Bethany; and Frederick, who 
lives at home. 

Mr. Klindt believes that rearing children without teaching them to 
do useful work is a grievous wrong. He is very much in favor of good 
schools and saj's that an industrious and educated boy or girl is the best 
type of citizenship. Mr. Klindt and family are highly respected citizens 
and stand high in Harrison County. 



John Ballard, for three successive terms the efficient judge of the 
Second District County Court of Harrison County, was born in Cypress 
Township, May 15, 1859, the son of Boone and Caroline (Salmon) Ballard. 

Boone Ballard was a native of Virginia where he was born in 1818. 
He came to Missouri in 1846 and took up land in Cypress Township, Har- 
rison County. At one time he owned over 300 acres of land and was a 
prominent farmer and stockraiser in the county. In the early days he 
filled the office of trustee of his township and he was a veteran of the 
Civil War, enlisting in 1861 and serving until the close of the war in a 
company known as "Merrill's Horse". 

Boone Ballard was married twice, the first time to Sarah Brown. 
To Boone and Sarah (Brown) Ballard the following children were born: 
Ehza, now Mrs. Dart of Johnson County, Kansas; William, now a resident 



474 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of Aspen, Colorado; Chloe, Mrs. Smith, who died in Hutchinson, Kansas; 
Jane, now Mrs. Johnson, of Johnson County, Kansas ; Austin, who died in 
Johnson County, Kansas ; and Chapman, now hving in Touse, New Mexico. 
Mr. Ballard was married the second time to Caroline Salmon, a native of 
Ohio. To Boone and Caroline (Salmon) Ballard the following children 
were born: Newton J., now living in Hutchinson, Kansas; John, the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Boone, now a resident of Seattle, Washington; Anna, 
now Mrs. Joseph, of Colorado; Charles, of Stockton, California; Robert, 
now living in Ridgeway, Missouri; Henry, living in Bethany, Missouri; 
and a daughter, Mrs. H. K. Barlow, of Bethany, Missouri. 

Boone Ballard died in 1885 and is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. 
Caroline (Salmon) Ballard died in 1912 at the age of seventy-five. 

John Ballard was educated in the rural schools of Harrison County 
and has followed the vocation of fanning and stockraising- all of his life. 
He bought his present farm of 171 acres in 1893 and 1914. It is in Cyp- 
ress Township, seven miles south of Bethany and is well improved with 
the house and barn recently rebuilt. The farm lies on upland prairie. 

John Ballard was married November 9, 1887, to Lola Barlow, a 
daughter of James and Lucinda (Nally) Barlow, both deceased and are 
buried in Miriam Cemetery. Mr. Barlow was a native of Virginia and his 
wife of Ohio. They were married in Ohio and came to Missouri about 
1868, settling on a farm in Cypress Township, Harrison County. 

To John and Lola (Barlow) Ballard the following children have been 
born: Emma Hazel, now Mrs. Bert S. Allen, of Bethany; Lillian May, 
now Mrs. Leslie Porter of Bethany; Loumontie, now Mrs. Randall Wilson 
of Bethany ; and John Russell, living on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ballard also have three grandchildren as follows: Fredie Porter, Persh- 
ing Wilson and Herbert Allen. 

Mr. Ballard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Bethany. He filled the oflSce of township collector for fourteen years 
and also filled an unexpired term as trustee of his township. He was 
elected judge of his district in 1916 and was reelected in 1918 and again 
in 1920. His return to office for two successive terms by the vote of 
his county is ample attestation to the regard which his county has for 
him. His record as an official has been excellent ; he has been economical 
but efficient and has handled his work in a thoroughly competent fashion. 
Both he and his family stand well in the county. 



HISTORY OF HABBISON COUNTY 475 

M. M. McQuery, one of the substantial citizens of Bethany, Missouri, 
was born in Indiana, the son of Gaily McQuery and Priscilla (Mingle) 
McQuery. 

Gaily McQuery was born in Indiana in 1834. In 1865 he with his 
wife and family came to Missouri and settled in Mercer Gounty where he 
became a highly respected farmer and stockman. He died at the home 
place in 1898 and is buried in Hamilton Gemetery. His wife, now eighty- 
four years of age, still hves on the farm upon which she and her husband 
settled when they came to Missouri. 

M. M. McQuery received his education in the public schools and, in 
1888, he began farming near Mount Moriah, Harrison Gounty. He re- 
mained on the same farm for twelve years, when he moved to Bethany 
Township where, in 1900, he bought 159 acres of land. He kept this farm 
until 1918 when he sold it and moved to Bethany. For the next two years 
he engaged in the real estate business; since that time he has conducted 
a taxi business in which he has been very successful. He owns an acre 
of ground which he uses for pasture and also has four lots at Oakland 
and Alder streets. His residence was burned recently and he is now 
building a new home. 

Mr. McQuery was married in the fall of 1886 to Martha Jane Miller, 
who was born and reared in Mercer Gounty, Missouri. To M. M. McQuery 
and Martha Jane (Miller) McQuery the following children were bom: 
Nettie, living at home; Genevive, now Mrs. Garten, living in Hutchinson, 
Kansas ; James Madison, living in St. Joseph, Missouri ; Gharley, living at 
home; Harley, who lives in Gypress Township; Lois, living at home; and 
Gaily, deceased. Mrs. McQuery and her son, Gaily, a child of four, were 
killed in an accident at a railroad crossing close to Ridgeway, Missouri, 
in 1912. They are buried in Hamilton Gemetery. 

Harley McQuery married Ruth Utterback who was born and reared 
in Gypress Township. They have one son, George Pershing, now two 
years old. 

James and Gharles McQuery both served in the World War. James 
was sent overseas with the Engineering Gorps and made an excellent 
record. Gharles was in training at Gamp Funston for several months 
and was just ready to start overseas when the armistice was signed. The 
family is justly proud of the record of both boys. 

Mr. McQuery was formerly a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. He is a reliable man who merits the esteem in which he 
is held by the community. 



476 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

James M. Walker, a well known citizen of Bethany and a member of 
the firm of Slemmons and Walker, was born in Andrew County, Missouri, 
June 25, 1873, the son of William S. and Catherine (Calvert) Walker. 
He was educated in the King City schools and entered business at Leon, 
Iowa at the age of nineteen years with Vernon Ruby and remained with 
him for two years. He then went to King City for awhile and from there 
came to Bethany and has been a member of this Slemmons and Walker 
mercantile establishment since 1898. 

Mr. Walker was married November 6, 1902 to Nancy Clark, a daughter 
of W. P. and Sarah (Smith) Clark. W. P. Clark died in 1920 and is 
buried at Mt. Olive Church in Bethany Township. Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
have a son, James Clark, born August 14, 1902. He is now in his second 
year of the Bethany High School. 



G. K. Joyce, one of Harrison County's efficient farmers, lives one and 
one-half miles east of the court house at Bethany on Rural Route No. 7. 
He is the son of Washington Warren Joyce and Sarah (McKibbon) Joyce, 
both deceased. 

Washington Warren Joyce was born in South Carolina and died in 
Cypress Township, Harrison County, Missouri, February 15, 1894, at the 
age of sixty-seven. His wife, Sarah (McKibbon) Joyce was born in 
Columbus, Ohio, and died at Pattonsburg, Daviess County, Missouri, 
February 24, 1891, at the age of forty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce came 
to Harrison County in the early seventies where they bought 535 acres of 
land which they improved. Mr. Joyce was a prominent stockman and 
farmer in the county during his life here. To Washington Warren Joyce 
and Sarah (McKibbon) Joyce the following children were born: Corna, 
now Mrs. Barlow, of Springfield, Colorado; R. J., a farmer in Cypress 
Township, Harrison County; J. H., also a farmer in Cypress Township; 
Maud, now Mrs. Abbott, living in Uniontown, Kansas; and G. K., the sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

G. K. Joyce was born in Cypress Township, September 15, 1874. He 
was educated in the public schools of Harrison County and has been a 
farmer all of his life. He has owned and improved five farms in Har- 
rison County. The last one of 280 acres was located in Cypress Town- 
ship. He sold this farm in 1919 and bought the place upon which he 
now lives. It is a farm of thirty-five acres on the Cole Valley Trail Road 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 477 

in Bethany Township. It is a part of the Bartlett farm and all the im- 
provements were put on the fanii by James Bartlett. There is a good 
two story residence equipped with water and with electricity furnished 
from the Bethany plant. The barn and the yard buildings are all good 
as are also the fences around the place. Mr. Joyce keeps a few cattle, 
horses and sheep. 

G. K. Joyce was married to Bertha Dunham, June 12, 1902. Mrs. 
Joyce is a daughter of W. 0. and Nancy (Burton) Dunham, who live in 
Bethany. To Mr. and Mrs. Joyce four children have been bom as fol- 
lows: Mabel Dott, who is a student in the Bethany High School; Loren 
D., also a student in the Bethany High School; Maretta Pauline, a student 
in the grammar school ; and Sarah Helen, who died at the age of ten years. 

Mr. Joyce is connected with the Bethany Trust Company as a stock 
holder, having held this connection since the organization of the company. 
He is one of the reliable and progressive citizens of the county, energetic 
and far sighted in his methods of business and dependable in his dealings. 



William Bartlett, a prominent farmer of Harrison County, belongs to 
two of the pioneer families of this part of Missouri. His mother, Cath- 
erine F. (Buck) Bartlett was the daughter of David Buck who came to 
Missouri and entered the land, a part of which was later the Bartlett farm 
in early days. He died about 1900 and his remains are buried in Miriam 
Cemetery. William Bartlett's father, Joseph Bartlett, was the son of 
Daniel Bartlett, an old settler of the county, who during his life was a 
prominent farmer and a money lender. He died at his home near Mar- 
tinsville and his remains are buried there. Joseph Bartlett, father of the 
present subject, was an extensive land owner, holding about 800 acres of 
land from which he later gave each of his children eighty acres. He 
filled various offices of trust in the county of which he was a highly 
respected citizen. He died about 1912 and his remains are buried in the 
Pythian Cemetery. His wife, Catherine F. (Buck) Bartlett died in 1916. 
The children of Joseph and Catherine E. (Buck) Bartlett were: Eliza- 
beth, wife of W. H. Lewis, living on the old home place; Isabell. died at 
the age of four; John, a resident of California; James, living at Bethany; 
William, the subject of this sketch; David Crockett, of Bethany Town- 
ship; Joshua, of Clinton, Missouri; George, a resident of Bethany; and 
0. W., a clerk in the Bethany postofRce. 



478 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

William Bartlett was born September 5, 1864 on a part of the land 
entered by his maternal grandfather in early times. He was educated 
in the rural schools and has followed farming all of his life. He now owns 
twenty-five acres of land a half mile east of Bethany which he bought 
in 1917 and on which he has built a modern country home. He has a 
large barn and a three acre orchard and keeps ten acres in alfalfa. 

Mr. Bartlett has filled the office of road overseer for twenty years 
and served on the school board for ten years. His many years of road 
work has given Mr. Bartlett many opportunities to put into practice his 
progressive ideas. He is a thorough believer in the practical benefits to 
be derived from good bridges and culverts. He put in the first cement 
culvert installed in Bethany Tovniship and has put several in Sherman 
Township. The largest one he has ever put in is near the County Home 
and is forty feet long. Mr. Bartlett made the first road drag that he 
ever saw in Bethany Township, about seventeen years ago and it is still 
in use. 

Mr. Bartlett has been twice married. By the first marriage he had 
two daughters, Catherine, now Mrs. Nichols of New Hampton; and Flora 
Alice, later Mrs. Maxey. Mrs. Maxey died at the age of thii'ty-one and 
her remains are buried in Antioch Cemetery. She left two children, 
Brook and Geoi-ge. Mr. Bartlett was married the second time to Mrs. 
Maggie Mullex, of Bethany, in 1917. The present Mrs. Bartlett has one 
daughter, Vatur Mullex, a teacher in the Bethany public school. 

Mr. Bartlett is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
No. 129, of Bethany. He is an enterprising citizen whose work as a 
public official attests to the merits of his progressive ideas. 



R. B. Tedlock, prominent farmer and ex-sheriff of Harrison County, 
was born in Jefferson Township, June 25, 1883 and lived there until he 
was sixteen years old. He is the son of Barnett M. and Nancy B. (Cooper) 
Tedlock, both members of well known families in the county. 

Nancy B. (Cooper) Tedlock was bom in HaiTison County, a daughter 
of Jerry and Martha Cooper, both early settlers of Jefferson Township 
and both deceased, the former dying in Union Township and the latter 
dying in Jefferson Township. The remains of both are buried in the 
Morris Chapel Cemetery. Nancy B. (Cooper) Tedlock died in October, 
1912, and her remains are buried in the Antioch Cemetery. Her husband. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 479 

Barnett M. Tedlock, was born in Indiana and came to St. Clair County, 
Missouri, with his parents . Later the family moved to Daviess County 
and here the father died. Barnett M. Tedlock and his mother then came 
to Harrison County where he has lived for more than fifty years. He is 
at present living on his home farm in Sherman Township. 

To Barnett M. and Nancy B. (Cooper) Tedlock the following chil- 
dren were born: Melinda, later Mrs. Williams, died in 1899; Stiel, now 
with the Ragland Corn Company in Kansas City, Missouri; R. B., the 
subject of this review; Emma, now Mrs. Parker of Sherman Township; 
Etta, now Mrs. Gutshall, of Adams Township; J. W., of Adams Township; 
and Ella, died in November, 1918. 

R. B. Tedlock was educated in the schools of the county and moved 
to his present home, a farm of 105 acres one-eighth mile from the Bethany 
city limits, which he bought from T. C. Munson, December 14, 1910. The 
fami is well watered by Tallow Fork, a small stream running through it, 
and there are also three good wells on the place. Mr. Tedlock keeps about 
one-half of his farm in pasture and the remainder in meadow. He raises 
Shorthorn cattle, Duroc hogs, Percheron horses and has about 300 Shrop- 
shire sheep. Mr. Tedlock takes an active interest in politics and was 
elected sheriff of Harrison County in November, 1916, the first Democrat 
to be elected to that office in the county for sixty-two years, his wife's 
grandfather having been the man elected about 1854. Mr. Tedlock filled 
the office capably and well. The esteem in which he is held by the com- 
munity is shown by the fact that he was the chairman of the local draft 
board during the World War. He was commissioned June 19, 1917, and 
served efficiently. 

R. B. Tedlock was married February 5, 1905, to Catherine D. Monson, 
a daughter of T. C. and Edna B. (Skinner) Monson. Mrs. Skinner v/as &. 
daughter of Dr. H. J. Skinner, a pioneer physician of this county who 
practiced at Eagleville in the early days and later located at Bethany. 
After a practice covering forty-nine years here, he went to Woodward, 
Oklahoma, wheer he died. His remains are buried in Miriam Cemetery. 
Edna B. (Skinner) Monson was born while her father lived at Eagleville 
where she lived until three years before her death which occurred in April, 
1910, when Mrs. Monson was forty-five years old. Her remains are buried 
in Shawnee, Oklahoma. T. C. Monson was born in Bethany, a son of 
Thomas and Catherine (Current) Monson. T. C. Monson lives now at 
Shawnee, Oklahoma. 



480 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

To R. B. and Catherine B. (Monson) Tedlock the following children 
were born : Doris, a freshman in the Bethany High School ; Marie and Ma- 
mie, twine now in Junior High School; and Robert Monson, born in Febru- 
ary, 1918, in the county jail building while his father was serving as sheriff 
of Harrison County. 

Mr. Tedlock is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of which he is the Patriarch in his chapter, and of the Daughters of 
Rebecca. His wife also belongs to the Daughters of Rebecca. Mr. Ted- 
lock has always been a progressive citizen with high standards of civic 
pride. 



James Hawkins, a well known farmer of Sherman Township, was 
born in Huntington County, Indiana, November 29, 1859, the son of Uriah 
P. and Martha Ellen (Price) Hawkins. Uriah Hawkins died in Indiana 
in 1865 and his wife then came to Harrison County, Missouri, but returned 
after a few years to Indiana where she now lives at the age of eighty- 
eight years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Hawkins were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Mrs. Sarah E. Abbott, of Michigan; E. B., of Portland, Oregon; 
Clarence, who died in Marion, Indiana ; Naomi Croninger, of Butler, Indi- 
ana; John, of Marion, Indiana; Uriah P., deceased; and Jacob Bryant, of 
Butler, Indiana, the last named by a second marriage of Mrs. Hawkins. 

James Hawkins located in Harrison County, March, 1886, and bought 
his present farm in 1894 from Perry M. Fravel. This farm, which con- 
sists of 120 acres, is situated four and one-half miles northea.st of Beth- 
any and is well improved and adapted for general farming. 

James Hawkins was married in January, 1897 to Mary E. (Fravel) 
Inks, a native of Virginia and daughter of William and Sarah (Perry) 
Fi-avel. Mr. and Mrs. Fravel located in Ray County, Missouri, in 1869, 
whore Mrs. Fravel died in 1877 and her husband in 1889. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fravel were the parents of the following children : Vir- 
ginia, the wife of Isaac Whittaker, of Bethany Township; Perry M., of 
Ray County, Missouri ; Mrs. Hawkins, the wife of James Hawkins ; Lewis, 
who died in Ray County, Missouri ; and William, who died in Texas. 

By a former marriage of James Hawkins to Ruth Ann Helm, he had 
four children: Eva Watson, of Watonga, Oklahoma; Edna May Foster, 
of Carnegie, Oklahoma ; Frank, who was killed in France, further mention 




FRANK HAWKIXS 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 481 

of whom is made in this review ; and Harry, whose address is in Saskatch- 
ewan, Canada. 

By a fovrner man-iage of Mrs. Hawkins to William Inks, deceased, 
she nas four children : Mrs. Lela Casebolt, of Grant Township ; Charles 
M., of Bethany, Missouri ; Mrs. Stella Hines, of Mountain View ; and I\Irs. 
Grace Travis, of Watonga, Oklahoma. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are the parents of six children: Clarence, at 
home ; Marian, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Nellie, Lewis and Doris, all at 
home; and Ruth, the second child, who died in infancy. 

Frank Hawkins enlisted at Bethany, Missouri, for service in the 
World Wai, with Company M of the 34th Infantry and was killed in 
action in France while scouting, October 22, 1918. 



W. Clay Burris, an enterprising farmer of Harrison County, lives in 
Bethany Township, a mile north of the court house. He is a native of 
this county, having been bom in Cypress Township, June 14, 1884, the son 
of Frank P. and Emma C. (Barlow) Burris. Frank Burris was born in 
Jackson County, Ohio, in October, 1852, and came to Harrison County 
with his parents in 1857. They were George and Elizabeth Burris, who 
settled in Cypress Township where their son, Frank P., was reared. 
George Burris was prominent in Harrison County and was a judge of the 
county court in the early days. He died in Bethany in May, 1893 and his 
remains are buried on the Burris home farm. Frank P. Burris was also 
a prominent man in his community and manifested an active interest 
in politics. He made the race for representative on the Democratic ticket 
and was one of the organizers of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company of which he was the president for over twenty years, his term 
of office ceasing only with his death. His wife, Emma C. (Barlow) Burris 
was bom in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1857 and still lives on the Burris 
home place in Harrison County. 

To Frank P. and Emma C. (Barlow) Burris the following children were 
born: George R., of Mt. Moriah ; J. Harvey, one of the strong men connected 
with the Great Western Sugar Company; W. Clay, the subject of this 
sketch; F. Ed, a graduate of the Missouri State University, a prominent 
educator who was at one time assistant principal of the Bethany High 
School, later a teacher in Denver, Colorado, and then superintendent of 
the Helena, Montana public schools, during which term of office he became 
(26) 



482 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ill and came to his home in Cypress Township where he died; K. Cliflford, 
a resident of Bethany Township; Don C, died in infancy; Ruth, now Mrs. 
Carter of Dallas Township; Joseph, living in Bethany Township; Mary 
E., living at home and a teacher in the county ; Grace, living at home ; J. 
J., now in St. Joseph with the Street Raihvay Company ; and Bruce, living 
at home. 

W. Clay Burris was educated in the rural schools of the county and 
then attended the Bethany High School. He has followed farming and 
stockraising all of his life. He lives on the Hickman farm where he has 
160 acres in oats, hay, com and blue grass pasture and raises cattle, hogs 
and sheep. His wife is much interested in poultry raising and at present 
has over 600 fowls of Brown Leghorn chickens and Bronze turkeys. Mr. 
Burris is a believer in progressive farm methods and is proving most 
successful in his work. 

W. Clay Burris was married November 10, 1909 to Abbie F. England, 
a daughter of David and Margaret England, of Dallas Township, where 
Mrs. Burris was born and reared. To Mr. and Mrs. Burris have been 
born two children, Elizabeth, and Lucille, who died when two years of age. 

Mr. Bums is a member of the Yeoman Lodge and the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat in politics. The Burris family 
has always been highly esteemed in the community. 



J. W. Berry, an industrious farmer of Bethany Township, living a 
half mile south of the city limits of Bethany, was born in Dallas Town- 
ship, February 20, 1881, the son of H. M. and Matilda R. (Bender) Berry. 

H. M. Berry was born in Pennsylvania, September 6, 1855, the son of 
James Berry who came from Pennsylvania to Harrison County in the 
fifties and settled in Dallas Township. He served in the Missouri State 
Militia during the Civil War. He was an active member of the Presby- 
terian Church. James Berry died in 1907 and his remains are buried in 
Kidwell Cemetery. H. M. Berry died February 18, 1909 and his remains 
are buried in Kidwell Cemetery. His widow, Matilda R. (Bender) Berry 
was born in Harrison County. She is now sixty-seven years of age and 
lives in Bethany. To the union of H. M. and Matilda R. (Bender) Berry 
the following children were born: J. M., now a resident of St. Joseph; 
J. W., the subject of this sketch; Rosa, now living at Bethany; Ethel, now 
living in Portland, Oregon; and Nettie, at home and employed with the 
Harrison County Bank. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 483 

J. W. Berry was educated at the Mount Tabor school in Dallas Town- 
ship and has followed farming all of his life. He bought his present farm 
of sixty acres, formerly the Doctor Blackburn place, in 1916. Since com- 
ing to this farm, Mr. Berry has made several improvements and has re- 
modeled the place. He raises corn, has ten acres in alfalfa and uses sou- 
dan grass for pasture. He has five Jersey cows and intends to run a 
dairy. 

Mr. Berry was married December 24, 1911, to Dellnena West, a 
daughter of W. D. and Mattie (Huss) West of Bethany. Mr. West was 
born in Iowa in 1860. He owns a farm in Bethany Township and runs a 
jitney in Bethany. Mrs. West was bom in Illinois in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. 
West have three daughters: Dellnena, now Mrs. Berry; Floy, wife of 
Orville Grant of Dimmitt, Texas; and Clonda, living at home and em- 
ployed with the Bethany Trust Company. 

Mr. Berry is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
Lodge No. 97, of Bethany. He is an energetic and highly esteemed young 
man in the community. 



Carl Allen, well known farmer of Bethany Township, is a native of 
Harrison County. He was born in Bethany Township in 1879, the son 
of Thomas B. and Eliza (Neal) Allen. Thomas B. Allen was a native of 
Harrison County where he was a farmer and stockman for several years. 
He was in the Union Army during the Civil War and while in service 
lost his right arm from a wound which caused his death in 1881. His 
remains are buried in Miriam Cemetery at Bethany. His widow, now 
seventy-six years old, lives on the home place. 

To Thomas B. and Eliza (Neal) Allen the following children were 
born : Grace, the wife of John Bradney of Lawton, Oklahoma ; Roy, living 
on the home place; Guy, married to Maggie McCullough and living in 
Iowa; Len, married to Bell Hamilton and living at Vinita, Oklahoma; 
Mabel, wife of Charles Reidmann of Vinita, Oklahoma; Carl, the subject of 
the present review; and Thomas, married to Lucy Couch and living at 
Vinita, Oklahoma. 

Carl Allen was educated in the public schools and has followed farm- 
ing all of his life. He owns a farm of 235 acres formerly the Derias 
Maxey farm, on which he does general farming and stockraising. He 
handles thoroughbred Poland China hogs, his brood sows being among 
the best in the county. Mr. Allen has improved his place extensively since 
he bought it. He has remodeled the house and has good farm buildings. 



484 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Allen was married October 13, 1901 to Martha Adelia C. Maxie, 
who was born and maiTied on the farm where she now lives. Mrs. Allen 
is the daughter of Derias Maxie who was a native of Virginia and was 
broug'ht by his parents to Missouri when he was a child of nine years. 
They settled first in Howard County and then came to Harrison County 
to live. Mr. Maxie was twenty-one years old when he came to Harrison 
County in 1853 and he spent over fifty years here. He was a veteran of 
the Civil War having been a member of the Missouri State Militia. He 
used to haul goods from St. Joseph to Bethany in the days when stores 
were very infrequent. During war times this trip required a week or more 
time. Mr. Maxie was one of the hardy, brave hearted men who did much 
toward founding the development of Harrison County. He died at his 
home in 1907 and his remains are buried in Antioch Cemetery. His 
wife, Catherine (Hilton) Maxie, was a native of Washington County, 
Kentucky. She died in 1908 at the age of sixty-five years. The Maxie 
children were: Martha Adeiia C, now Mrs. Allen; and Joseph N., now 
a resident of Bethany. 

Mr. and Mrs. Allen have five living children: David, Ruby, Bell Verda, 
Buford, and Eunice. Their second child, Ralph, died at the age of 13 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are sending their children to the Bethany 
Public School. 

Mr. Allen is a substantial and reliable citizen of his community. 



Vilas Kimbrough, an enterprising farmer of Bethany Township, liv- 
ing one-fourth mile from the city limits of Bethany was born in Sherman 
Township April 2, 1885. He is the son of John C. and Rosina (McGowen) 
Kimbrough. Mrs. Kimbrough is a native of Sherman Township, a daugh- 
ter of John and Eunice McGowen, both deceased and buried at Springer 
Chape!. Mrs. Kimbrough now lives at Bethany. John C. Kimbrough was 
a native of Illinois and came to Hamson County when he was but a 
young man. He died, June 14, 1907 and his remains are buried :it Antioch 
Church. He was married twice. By his first marriage he had one son 
who died in infancy and another son. Charles, now a resident of Sher- 
man Township. To his second marriage with Rosina McGowen the follow- 
ing children were born: Vilas, the subject of this sketch; Lillian, now 
Mrs. Osmundson of Forest City, Iowa , Etta, died in infancy, and Gailand, 
died in infancy. John C. Kimbrough was a democrat in politic.'^ and an 
active member of the Democratic Central Committee. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 485 

Vilas Kimbrough was educated in the school of Hazel Dell District 
and has followed farming all of his life. He owned the home place of 
280 acres in Sherman Township, and in July, 1919 he bought his present 
farm of 110 acres. He does general farming and raises Duroc Jersey and 
Poland China hogs. He has a good residence and a new barn on the 
place. The farm has good soil and is well watered and shows the good 
effects of Mr. Kimbrough's methods of farming. 

Vilas Kimbrough was married December 24, 1905 to Olive Brown, a 
daughter of J. C. and Amelia (Ward) Brown. J. C. Brown died August 
7, 1920 and his remains are buried in Oilman City. His wife now lives at 
Oilman City. Their children are: John J., a I'esident of Oilman City; 
Frank W., of Oilman City ; and Olive, now Mrs. Kimbrough. To Vilas and 
Olive (Brovra) Kimbrough the following children have been born: Maurine, 
Bonita, and Brown. 

Mr. Kimbrough made the lace for trustee of Bethany in April, 1921 
on the Democratic ticket, and was elected.. He also served as clerk of the 
Board of Education in Sherman Township before moving to his present 
home. 



Ovid H. Butler comes of a pioneer family of farmers and stockmen. 
He was born in Cypress Township, October 19, 1880, the son of Albert 
and Ella (Sutton) Butler. Albert Butler was a well known farmer and 
stockman and his farm is still included in the Butler holdings. He was 
born on the farm where his son Ovid, was later bom. He died in March, 
1913. His wife, Ella (Sutton) Butler, was born in Preble County, Ohio; 
she now lives in Bethany and is fifty-nine years of age. 

Asaph Butler, paternal grandfather of Ovid H. Butler, came from 
Vermilion County, Illinois, and, on June 26, 1840, he entered land in 
Cypress Township, buying out a squatter who lived in a cabin and held 
forty acres of land. At the time of his death, Asaph Butler owned 360 
acres of land which was in the homeplace, besides land that he had 
already given his children. Asaph Butler was a prominent man who was 
deeply interested in civic affairs as well as in farming. He laid out a 
public cemetery on his farm which is still used. One of his sons, Harmon, 
was buried there in 1852. He built a house in Cypress Township that was 
the first in Harrison County to have glass window panes and a shingle 
roof. He was a member of the first County Court ever held in Harrison 
County. This court met under an elm tree on the banks of Big Creek 



486 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

near the Slaughter Bridge. The Butler farm is indeed an interesting 
old historic place. Taken up by a squatter, the rights sold to Asaph 
Butler, the birthplace in 1845 of Albert Butler, and later of Ovid Butler, 
it is also the burial place of Asaph Butler, who died May 8, 1892. The 
homeplace is now farmed by Otis Butler, the only brother of Ovid Butler. 

Ovid H. Butler was educated in the public schools of the county and 
has been a farmer and stockman all of his life. He bought his present 
farm of 130 acres, two miles southeast of Bethany from W. W. Myers 
in 1919. Mr. Butler is a dairyman and has twenty head of Jersey cows. 
He also raises hogs and does general farming. His farm is well watered 
and he has a windmill to pump the water to the barn and house. 

Mr. Butler was married December 25, 1902, to Martha McDaniel, 
a daughter of F. P. and Ida (Slaughter) McDaniel, both of whom live in 
Bethany. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have five children: Ralph, Mabel June, 
Bettie, Worth and Geneva. 

Mr. Butler is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at 
Bridgeport. Mr. Butler is one of the substantial citizens of his township. 



U. A. Towns and N. O. Towns, proprietors of the Oak Grove Dairy 
Farm, are well known in Harrison County where the family has been 
prominent for years. U. A. Towns was born in Marshall County, Indiana, 
September 15. 1865, the son of Joseph I. and Rachel (Borton) Towns, 
both deceased. Joseph I. Towns was a native of Ohio, born near Alliance, 
September 28, 1836. His father Robert Towns, was a pioneer settler in 
Alliance, Indiana, where he died. Joseph Towns was educated in Indiana 
and farmed there until he was nearly fifty years of age, when he and a 
neighbor, Mr. Burch, left Marshall County and drove through to Harrison 
County, Missouri, with four wagons. Mr. Burch settled near Eagleville 
on a farm and Mr. Towns settled on the farm where his son, U. A., now 
lives. Here Joseph I. Towns died April 17, 1898, at the age of eighty- 
four years. His remains are buried in Miriam Cemetery. His wife was 
born in 1825 and died at the age of seventy-two years. The children of 
Joseph I. and Rachel (Borton) Towns are: Albert, deceased at the age 
of sixty-seven, was married to Bell Roberts who now lives at Princeton, 
Kansas ; Jennie, the wife of Walter Price of San Francisco, Califoniia ; 
Lida, wife of Monroe Bartow of Portland, Oregon ; Cynthia, wife of James 
Hobbs, deceased; and U. A., the subject of this sketch. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 487 

Rev. Daniel Borton, maternal grandfather of Mr. Towns of this 
sketch, was a minister of the Christian Church who entered land near 
Alliance, Ohio, where he lived until his death at the age of eighty-five. 
Besides preaching, he taught school and served as a justice of the peace. 

U. A. Towns was educated in the public schools and the Bethany 
High School when John R. Kirk was the principal, and attended Avalon 
College for three years when C. J. Kephart was the principal. He re- 
turned home fi-om college and has been on the home place ever since. 
He bought 200 acres from the Towns heirs and has since added 200 acres 
more, making a farm of 400 acres which is registered as the Oak Grove 
Dairy Farm. The firm name is U. A. Towns and Son, the "Son" being the 
N. 0. Towns named in the heading of this sketch. Mr. Towns has been 
prominent in general farming, dairying and stock raising for years. For 
more than twelve years he made a daily trip to Bethany. He now has 
sixty head of Holstein cattle and raises also Duorc Jersey hogs, and con- 
tinues to breed horse.s and jacks. He has at present, thirty-seven head 
of horses and mares. 

Mr. Town.s has always taken an active interest in politics and has 
made the race for oflSce several tiines. In 1894 he was a candidate for 
state senator on the Populist ticket and in 1896 he ran for the same office 
on the Populist ticket indoresd by the Democrats. In 1898 he was a 
candidate for congress from the Third Congressional District on the 
Populist ticket. 

U. A. Towns was married June 23, 1884, to Nora S. Spears, a daughter 
of John and Mary E. (Edrington) Spears. John Spears died in Oklahoma 
where his remains are buried. Mrs. Spears lives with her daughter, Mrs. 
Towng. To U. A. and Nora E. (Spears) Towns the following children 
were born: Ollie, now Mrs. Gibson of St. Joseph; Merle, living at home; 
Doris, at home; and N. 0., the oldest child and only living son, born in 
Livingston County, January 2, 1886, and now a member of the firm. Towns 
and Son. Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Towns, a son and a daughter, died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Towns is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Woodman of America. He 
is also a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Towns and his son are 
both enterprising men who are obtaining marked success by their use of 
scientific methods and their integrity. 



488 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

J. R. Webb, a prominent farmer and stockman and one of Harrison 
County's large land owners, is a native of this county. He was born on 
the place where he now resides in Trail Greek Township, March 8, 1866 
and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cockrell) Webb. Elizabeth Cock- 
rell was a native of Missouri and a member of one of the distinguished 
pioneer families of the state. She was a cousin of the late United States 
Senator Cockrell. 

Joseph Webb was born at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and when a young 
man came west and his parents came here sometime afterwards. He was 
a son of Jonathon Webb, who spent the remainder af his life in Trail 
Creek Township after coming here. He and his wife are buried in Mount 
Moriah Cemetery. Joseph Webb settled on the place where J. R. Webb 
now lives in 1855, having entered it from the government. He followed 
farming and stock raising and bought and sold cattle extensively and was 
also engaged in the mercantile business for over thirty years. Dui'ing 
the course of his career he was very successful and acquired a great deal 
of land. At one time he owned about 2,000 acres but sold some of it 
before his death and gave most of it to his children. He died December 
4, 1913 and his wife died November 16, 1909 and their remains are buried 
in the Mount Moriah Cemetery. They were members of the Baptist 
Church and he was a Knights Templar Mason. 

To Joseph and Elizabeth (Cockrell) Webb were born eight children 
as follows: W. L., Bethany, Missouri; Mattie, married E. A. Deupree, 
Dora, Missouri; C. T., Bethany; Mary Catherine, married E. W. Pullum, 
Colorado Springs, Colorado; Joseph E., lives in California; J. R., the sub- 
ject of this sketch ; Sarah Elizabeth married G. W. Hannah, Kansas City, 
Missouri; and James Albert, Bethany, Missouri. 

J. R. Webb was reared on the home place where he now resides and 
began farming and stock raising at an early age. He remained with his 
father until the latter's death, when he received 160 acres of land. Later 
he bought the interests of other heirs of the estate and also bought other 
lanJ until he is now the owner of 1250 acres, nearly all of which is situ- 
ated in Trail Creek Township. He operates most of his land himself but 
rents a great deal on shares and thus it is all under his immediate man- 
ageinent and control. He carries on general farming and stock raising 
and raises cattle extensively. He also buys and feeds large numbers of 
cattle for the market and in ordinary times markets about 200 head 
annually. He raises principally Durham and Whitefaced cattle. 






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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 489 

Mr. Webb's land is so situated that nearly all of it is within view of 
his residence wliich occupies a commanding eminence overlooking a large 
section of the surrounding country. The residence is a large modern 
well built structure with all modern conveniences and was erected by 
Mr. Webb about 1916. The foundation is built of stone, a great deal 
of which was taken from the chimney of the old pioneer home of the 
Webb family, which stood on the same place as the present residence. 

Mr. Webb was married April 2, 1893, to Miss Dora Wethers, who was 
born and reared in Fox Creek Township. She is the daughter of William 
H. Wethers, a native of Mattoon, Illinois. He settled in Fox Creek Town- 
ship about fifty years ago and still resides there. To Mr. and Mrs. Webb 
have been born one child, Catherine Marie. She was educated in the 
Lady's Liberty College, at Liberty, Missouri ; Hardin College, at Mexico, 
Missouri, and the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, and now 
resides at home with her parents. 

Mr. Webb is a progressive and successful man of affairs and the 
Webb family ranks among the leading representative people of Harrison 
County. 



F. W. Sherer and T. B. Sherer are prominent in the business world 
of Bethany, where they are connected, the former as the owner and 
registered pharmacist, and the latter as the registered pharmacist, with 
the Sherer Drug Company, one of the historic pioneer firms of the county. 
This store was established prior to the Civil War. The original company 
was succeeded, before the war, by T. B. Sherer, father of the present 
owner. T. B. Sherer was succeeded by T. B. Sherer and Son, and that 
firm in turn succeeded by Sherer and Butler, later the present firm of 
Sherer Drug Company took over the business. The history of the Sherer 
family is thus the account of practically the entire history of this drug 
store. T. B. Sherer of the old firm, was a native of Pennsylvania and 
served an apprenticeship in business in New York City. Several years 
before the turbulent period of the strife between the states, he came 
to Harrison County where he taught school and was in business. He 
died in 1908 at the age of seventy-five and his remains are buried in 
Miriam Cemetery. He was married in Bethany to Serena Allen, deceased, 
at the age of thirty-nine. Their children were: C. A. Sherer, a resident 
of Bethany; Bert, deceased; William, deceased; F. W., one of the subjects 
of the present sketch ; and a daughter, Anna, died in infancy. 



490 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

F. W. Sherer was born in Bethany, Missouri, in 1870, and received 
his education in St. Joseph and Wentworth Military Academy at Lexing- 
ton, Missouri. He has followed the drug business all of his life and is 
thoroughly conversant with every phase of it. He married Myrtle Tur- 
ner in 1893. She is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Turner, both 
belonging to pioneer families of Harrison County. Robert Turner died 
in Bethany and his remains are buried in Miriam Cemetery. His wife 
lives with a daughter, now the wife of Dr. Buts of Bethany. F. W. Sherer 
and his wife, Myrtle (Turner) Sherer, have three children : T. B., a 
sketch of whom is included in this review; Dorothy, now Mrs. Harlan 
Slatten of Bethany ; and Charles T., now a student in the Bethany High 
School. 

T. B. Sherer was born May 2, 1896, in Bethany. He was educated 
in Bethany, graduating from the Bethany High School at the age of 
fifteen. He is a registered pharmacist and learned the drug business 
from his father with whom he has been associated in the store since 
finishing high school. By inheritance and environment he has been given 
opportunity to develop the strong business acumen which he possesses, 
and he has been successful in his work. He was married May 20, 1917, 
to Ethel Sadler of Independence, Missouri, a daughter of J. L. Sadler, 
who is a retired contractor of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Sherer have 
two daughters: Marjory Elizabeth, and Gretchen Jane. 

F. W. Sherer is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
Royal Arch Chapter and Commandery; the Modern Woodmen of America; 
the Woodmen of the World; and the Knights of Pythias. T. B. Sherer 
is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bethany. Both 
F. W. Sherer and his son, T. B. Sherer, are progi'essive business men. 



Olin Kies, prominent farmer and business man of Harrison County, 
was born in Sherman Township, July 12, 1867, and has been intimately 
connected with the growth of the county for most of his life. As 
a progressive farmer, large land owner, and president of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Bethany, Mr. Kies has been in touch with the various 
phases of the commercial development of his community. 

He is the son of Archibald and Jane (Somerville) Kies, both deceased. 
Archibald Kies was bom in New York where he was also married. He 
came to Missouri in the forties and settled in Sherman Township, enter- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 491 

ing the land upon which his son, Ohn, was born as well as the children of 
Olin Kies. Archibald Kies owned 320 acres of land now owned by his 
son. Jane (Somerville) Kies died about 1911. They had two children, 
of whom Olin Kies is the only one living. 

Olin Kies was educated in the public school of the county and spent 
one term in the Ridgeway High School. He has followed farming 
of Bethany. Here he has a nice residence, a good barn, and an acre and 
a half of orchard. Besides this place, Mr. Kies owns three other farms: 
the Prairie View Farm of 657 acres in Fox Creek and Sherman Townships ; 
200 acres and eighty acres in Fox Creek and Trail Creek Townships; and 
400 acres in another tract in Trail Creek. Mr. Kies operates all of these 
farms and feeds cattle and hogs. In addition to these duties, Mr. Kies has 
been the president of the First National Bank of Bethany since the or- 
ganization of that institution. 

Mr. Kies was married August 2, 1888 to Ida Moss of Trial Creek 
Township, daughter of John L. and Martha (Hickman) Moss, the latter 
died in 1881 ; the former lives in Trail Creek Township on the home 
place. He was born in Mercer County, is a veteran of the Civil War 
having enlisted in the Union Army from Missouri and serving through- 
out the war, and is now seventy-seven years old. Mrs. Kies' maternal 
grandfather, Alfred Hickman was a native of Kentucky who settled in 
Mercer County where he entered land south of Cainsville on Grand River. 
Here the mother of Mrs. Kies was bom. Mr. Hickman, even before 1845, 
carried mail from Cainsville to Maryville in Nodaway County, follow- 
ing the old Indian trail on horseback and taking his route through the 
present site of Bethany. He was one of the pioneers who, sturdy and 
intrepid, did much to make possible the present progress of the county. 
He died on his farm four miles west of Mt. Moriah and his remains are 
buried in Cain's Cemetery southeast of Cainsville in Mercer County. 

To Olin and Ida (Moss) Kies the following children were born ; Bonnie 
C. married to Ethel Selby and died at the age of twenty-two, leaving one 
son, Doyle, now twelve years old ; Dorris, married Delpha Smith, a daugh- 
ter of James and Mary(Barger) Smith, and now living on the home farm; 
and Samuel, married Myrtle Linthacum, a daughter of Bert and Hettie 
(Ross) Linthacum and living at home. Dorris Kies is a veteran of the World 
War. He enlisted in May, 1918, was sent to Camp Dodge, May 22, 1918, and 
Vv'as placed with the 351st Infantry, 88th Division. He went overseas 
in August 1918 and returned home in June, 1919 after a service of thir- 



492 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

teen months. He is now living on the Prairie View Farm where he 
was born. 

Olin Kies is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He served two terms, 1911 to 1915, as 
judge of the county court of Harrison County. The Kies family has 
always been prominent in the county where the name stands for high 
standards of citizenship and business acumen. 



Frank A. Premer, one of the highly respected citizens of Bethany 
Township, Harrison County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 7, 
1861, the son of W. B. and Catherine D. (Romesburg) Premer. 

W. B. Premer was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and came to Mis- 
souri in 1872, setthng in Martinsville, where he died November 6, 1906, 
at the age of seventy; his wife, now eighty-one years old, still lives in 
Martinsville where she is the oldest inhabitant of the town. W. B. 
Premer was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served three anc/ 
one-half years. He was disabled while in service. 

To W. B. and Catherine D. (Romesburg) Premer the following chil- 
dren were born: Frank A., the subject of this sketch; Fred, died at the 
age of twenty-four years in Martinsville; and Ida, later Mrs. Snyder 
of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and died in 1918. 

Frank A. Premer received his education in the public schools of 
Ohio, and Harrison County, and later attended school in Stanberry, Mis- 
souri. For thirty-three years, he was a teacher in Harrison County, 
teaching his last school at Washington Center in 1916. He bought his 
present home of G. W. Myers in 1908. It is a fann three-fourths of a 
mile south of the Bethany line. Mr. Premer has followed dairying and 
hog-raising here for the last ten years, and for the last three years, he 
has raised corn and wheat. 

Mr. Premer was married to Martha E. Funk, June 6, 1884. Mrs. 
Premer is a daughter of Adam and Susan (Eisenbarger) Funk. Adam 
Funk was born in Allen County, Ohio, and has been a resident of Harri- 
son County, Missouri since 1861. His home place was three miles north- 
east of Martinsville where he lived until 1914 when he came to live with 
his daughter Mrs. Premer. Mr. Funk was justice of the peace of Dallas 
Township for many years, and still takes an active interest in all civic 
affairs although he is now ninety-one years old. He served in the Mis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 493 

souri State Militia during the Civil War. Mr. Funk is one of the fine 
and respected citizens of the community. His wife, Susan (Eisenbarger) 
Funk died in Martinsville in November, 1914, and is buried in McGee 
Cemetery. 

To Frank A. and Martha E. (Funk) Premer the following chlidren 
were born: Edna, now Mrs. J. W. Cox of Bethany, Missouri; Mildred, 
now Mrs. John J. Carter of Pattonsburg, Missouri; Raymond, a veteran 
of the World War, enlisted December 16, 1916, suffered a stroke of 
paralysis in 1917, was mustered out of service March 31, 1920, and is 
now in the Missouri State University taking an agriculture course ; Doug- 
las, married to Elmina Holley and now living in Ridgeway, Missouri; 
Phyllis, now Mrs. Ralph Flint of Bethany, Missouri; Lowell married to 
Helen Pugh of Coffey, Missouri, and now a rural mail carrier in Eagle- 
ville, Missouri ; Donald, living at home ; and Lois, a student in high school. 

Mr. Premer is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America in 
Bridgeport, Missouri. Having taught school for so many years and in 
various places in the county, Mr. Premer is a well known and well liked 
citizen. He is esteemed all over the county for his long years of efficient 
service. 



George C. Nelson, an enterprising young farmer of Harrison County, 
was born in Bethany Township, March 2, 1884, the son of Robert L. and 
Melissa Ann (Phillebaum) Nelson, both natives of Harrison County, who 
grew up and were married here and now live on their farm adjoining 
the George C. Nelson farm on the north. Their children are: Edgar, 
a resident of Bethany; Isaac E., of Bethany; Margaret, the county agent 
of Linneus County; Lena, now the wife of Edgar Rogers of White Oak 
Tovniship; Bertha, who was married to Willis Sapp and is nov/ deceased; 
George E., the subject of the present sketch; and Charlie, now living 
at Grand Fork, North Dakota. 

George C. Nelson was educated in the public schools in Harrison 
County and, with the exception of three years spent in the State of Cali- 
fornia, has lived here all of his life. He remained with his parents until 
he was twenty years old, getting practical experience and training in 
farming. He bought his present farm in October, 1919 ; prior to that time 
he had purchased ninety-eight acres adjoining this place, thus making 
a farm of 140 acres. His residence is located one and one-half miles west 
of Bethany on the Southwest Trail and he has good farm buildings on 



494 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the place. The farm is well shaded and Mr. Nelson has put extensive 
improvements on it. He raises Rhode Island chickens and has about 
800 fowls all together. He also raises hogs and cattle. The farm pre- 
sents an attractive, well kept appearance. 

Mr. Nelson was married June 29, 1916, to Pearl Cranor, a daughter 
of James and Carrier (Coulter) Cranor. James Cranor was born near 
King City, died at Albany about 1910, and is buried in Albany. Carrie 
(Coulter) Cranor was bom in Ohio and now lives in Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia. Their children were: Pearl, bom at Albany and educated there, 
now Mrs. Nelson ; and Opal, now the wife of H. D. Wilcox of Los Angeles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one son, James Robert, born April 29, 1919. 

Mr. Nelson is a young man who stands well in his community. 



Nelson B. Harrison, well known dairyman and stock raiser of Har- 
rison County, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, October 11, 1879, the 
son of Thomas J. and Gertrude (Williams) Harrison. 

Thomas Jay Harrison, father of the subject of this sketch, was bom 
in Jackson County, Ohio, January 9, 1846, the son of Nelson and Mar- 
garet (Buck) Harrison. Nelson Harrison was born in Rockingham, Vir- 
ginia, and died in 1857. He is buried in Jefferson Township, Jackson 
County, Ohio. His wife died in Jackson County, Ohio, and is buried in 
Liberty Township in that county. Thomas Jay Harrison was educated 
in the public schools of Ohio and in the State University at Athens, Ohio, 
where he graduated in the course in 1868, and in the Greek course in 
1870. He taught school in Jackson and Gallia counties in Ohio, farming 
during the season, until 1880, when he came to Missouri, and located 
near Gardner Station in Harrison County, buying 156 acres of land of 
Anthony Enloe for ten dollars per acre. Eighteen months later he sold 
this land to Mr. Bartlett and bought the 120 acres, now his home, four 
miles southwest of Bethany in Bethany Township on Rural Route No. 5. 
Thirty-five acres of the land was broken, but there were no improvements 
except the fences. In 1884, Mr. Hari-ison built his present residence, a six- 
room house with a basement. He has followed dairying since 1890, and 
has been very successful. 

Thomas Jay Harrison was married to Gertrude Leslie Williams in 
July, 1870. Mrs. Harrison was bom in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1853. She was educated in the public schools of Ohio. She 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 495 

died in 1893 and is buried in Burris Cemetery in Harrison County, Mis- 
souri. To Thomas Jay and Gertrude L. (Williams) Harrison, the fol- 
lowing children were born: Grace, a graduate of the Missouri State 
University, and a teacher in Harrisonville, Cass County, Missouri, at 
the time of her death in 1898 at the age of twenty-six; Cora Lee, born 
in February, 1875, a graduate of the Missouri State University, and a 
teacher in Harrison County at the time of her death in September, 1920 ; 
Emma, a graduate of Wesleyan College at Cameron, Missouri, formerly 
a teacher in Harrison County schools, and now Mrs. Willard Link of 
Mount Ayr, Iowa; Lois, a graduate of the Bethany High School and of 
the State Teachers College of Maryville, Missouri, now Mrs. James Mc- 
Queery of St. Joseph, Missouri ; John Scott, educated in Bethany High 
School and the Missouri State University, now teaching and conducting 
a ranch in Prosser, Washington; Nelson Burr, the subject of this sketch; 
Isaac Fletcher, a graduate of the Bethany High School and of the En- 
gineering Department of the Missouri State University, now the general 
manager of a tile factoiy in Birmingham, Alabama; and Carey, educated 
in Bethany High School and Missouri State University, now doing gen- 
eral farming in Union Township, Harrison County. 

Thomas Jay Harrison was a member of the Ohio Legislature, elected 
from Jackson County in 1873 and serving until 1876. He was a public 
spirited man, standing well in his community. His interest in education 
is shown by the fact that all of his children were sent to schools for ad- 
vanced work. 

Nelson B. Han-ison, the subject of this review, was educated in the 
public schools of Harrison County and graduated from the Missouri State 
University in 1905 with the degrees of B. S. in M. E. He has followed 
farming all of his life. He and his brother, Carey, bought the eighty 
acres on which Nelson B. now lives, in 1912. This with forty given to 
them by their father made 120 acres. Later N. B. Harrison bought his 
brother's interest in the place. Mr. Harrison put all the improvements 
on the place except the barn. The Mitchellville schoolhouse is on one 
corner of the farm. The place is well fenced, being hog tight, and has a 
good residence recently remodeled. The house is only one-half mile from 
the Jefferson Highway. Mr. Harrison conducts a dairy and has twenty- 
seven registered and grade Jersey cattle. He also raises Duroc Jersey 
bogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. 

Nelson B. Harrison was married to Eunice E. Link in 1912. She is 



496 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a daughter of J. H. and Etta Link of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and was born in 
Ringold County, Iowa. Her parents formerly lived near Hatfield in Har- 
rison County. To Nelson B. and Eunice E. (Link) Harrison the following 
children were bom: Marjorie, Cecil, Keith, died at the age of two and 
one-half years; and Catherine. 

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Bethany and 
belongs to the Methodist Church. The Harrison family is well known 
in the county, belonging to the group of families that have fostered the 
growth of Harrison County since early days. 

Mr. Harrison was a member of Company D, 4th Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry and served in the Spanish-American War in 1898. 



W. H. H. Gillespie, a well known retired citizen of Bethany and ex- 
sheriff of this county, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, June 22, 1842, 
the son of W. B. and Rhoda (Miller) Gillespie. 

Mrs. W. B. Gillespie was a native of Virginia. Her mother who was 
Nancy Flynn had quite an interesting and tragic experience in childhood. 
While her father v.as clearing land in Virginia in pioneer days he was 
killed by Indians just when he had finished fencing his land. The Indians 
took all of the family prisoners except one girl who jumped into a sink 
hole and escaped. Nancy Flynn was kept prisoner by the Indians until 
she was twelve or fourteen years of age, when she was rescued by three 
white men who had been informed of her identity by a white family 
where she had been sent by the Indians for milk. A scar caused by a 
burn vv'as the clue that identified her as she had no knowledge of her par- 
ents, having been captured in infancy. 

W. B. Gillespie was born in Virginia in 1811 and later moved to Jack- 
son County, Ohio, where he married and lived until 1844. Mr. and Mrs. 
W. B. Gillespie came to Missouri in the fall of 1844 and settled six miles 
south of Bethany, where W. H. H. Gillespie was reared. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Gillespie died there and are buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gillespie were the parents of the following children : F. M., who 
died at the military home in Leavenworth, Kansas, and who was in Com- 
pany F, Merrill's Horse, 2nd Missouri Cavalry, enlisting August 1, 1861; 
Nancy, who died at the age of twenty-five years; W. H. H., the subject 
of this sketch ; Z. T., who died in Oklahoma in 1918 ; and W. S., who died 
in Cypress Township. 




W. H. H. GILLESPIE 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 497 

W. H. H. Gillespie enlisted in the army, August 1, 1861, at Bethany, 
Missouri, in Merrill's Horse or 2nd Missouri Cavalry and served for nine 
months, when he was discharged on account of measles. August 1, 1863, 
he enlisted in 1st Missouri State Militia Cavalry and, while in service, 
lost an arm at Lexington, Missouri. Upon his discharge from the army, 
he taught school for sixteen years. In the fall election of 1886, he was 
elected sheriff of Harrison County and reelected in 1888, serving four 
years. Since then, he has made his home in Bethany with the exception 
of one year that he spent in Colorado on a claim. 

W. H. K. Gillespie was married December 18, 1868 to Hannah A. 
Sutton, a daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Sutton, of Cypress Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sutton came here from Indiana in 1865 and settled in Cypress 
Tov.-nship. They both died in Benton County, Missouri, where they are 
buried. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are the parents of the following children: 
Alma Louise, the wife of the Rev. Eugene Leazenby, a Methodist minister 
of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Florence Ethel, the wife of Harry Williams, 
of Grand Junction, Colorado- Charles Lester, who married Bessie Wright 
and who lives in Davenport. Iowa ; and four children who died in infancy. 

Mr. Gillespie is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at 
Bethany. He is a substantial citizen and stands high in the community 
and county. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are members of the Christian Church. 



Lewis Hefner, the competent and popular manager of the Miner Frees 
Lumber Yard at New Hampton, Missouri was born in Jefferson Township, 
Harrison County, November 30, 1877, the son of W. L. and Anna J. 
(Easton) Hefner, both still living six miles north of Bethany at Mount 
Moriah Chapel in Jefferson Township. 

W. L. Hefner was born three miles south of his present residence in 
the same township, February 22, 1854. He was the son of Lewis and 
Elizabeth (Brown) Hefner who came to Missouri from Virginia in 1852, 
settling in Harrison County and improving the farm now owned by H. J. 
Hefner, a son of Lewis Hefner. Lewis Hefner and his wife both died on 
the home place and are buried in Miriam Cemetery. W. L. Hefner con- 
tinues to do general farming. He has filled some of the offices in his 
township and is ranked as one of the progressive farmers. 
(27) 



498 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

To W. L. and Ann J. (Easton) Hefner the following children were 
bom: Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Delpha, now Mrs. Warren Boler 
of Bethany, Missouri; Minnie, the wife of Robert Buzzard of Sherman 
Township; and Frankie, who died in infancy. 

Lewis Hefner was educated in the rural schools of Harrison County. 
He followed the vocation of farming in Jefferson Township until 1912. 
He then went to Martinsville, Missouri, where he held the position of 
clerk in a store for eighteen months. In July, 1915, he began work with 
the Miner Frees Lumber Company of Bethany, Missouri, and has been 
the manager of the yard in New Hampton ever since August 1, 1920. This 
lumber yard carries a full and complete line of building materials. 

Lewis Hefner was married February 2, 1901 to Ollie L. Hefner, a 
native of Harrison County. Her parents were W. J. and Anna E. Hefner. 
Her father died in July, 1913 and is buried in Lakin, Kansas ; her mother 
still lives in Lakin, Kansas. Mrs. Hefner was educated in the public 
schools of Harrison County. 

Lewis Hefner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Daughters of Rebecca Lodge, the Modern Woodman of America En- 
campment, and the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is known in his com- 
munity as an upright and i-eliable citizen. 



Dr. Alfred L. Wessling, a competent physician and progressive citizen 
of New Hampton, Missouri, was bom in Pulaski County, Missouri, Febru- 
ary 18, 1886, the son of Joseph and Anna (Well) Wessling. Joseph 
Wessling located in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1872 and practiced his trade, 
that of milling. He left St. Louis and moved to Pulaski and later to 
LaClede County, but returned to St. Louis where he lived until his death 
in 1915. His wife resides in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Dr. Alfred L. Wessling was educated in the public schools and Drury 
College at Springfield, Missouri, and received his professional education 
at St. Louis Medical University and was graduated a B. S. M. D. from the 
National University of Arts and Sciences in 1914. He began practicing 
first at Freeburg, Missouri, where he remained one year, then he was in 
Springfield, Missouri, one year and then located in Martinsville and lived 
there one and one-half years, and, after being in the army for seventeen 
months, located in New Hampton, September, 1919. 

Doctor Wessling enlisted in the army, took an examination and was 
made first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps and entered service 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 499 

March 6, 1918 at Eberts Field, Lonoke, Arkansas, where he remained for 
three months and then went to Vancouver Barracks, Washington, and 
was there until January, 1919, when he went to Camp Upton, New York 
and was mustered out there August 6, 1919, immediately returning to 
New Hampton where he has since practiced. 

Doctor Wessling was married July 29, 1919, to Laura E. Burnett, of 
Eldorado Springs, Missouri, a daughter of Isaac Burnett. She is also a 
native of Missouri and is a graduate of the Osceola, Missouri, High School, 
and attended the Springfield State Teachers College and prior to her mar- 
riage, taught school, but during the World War was in the adjutant gen- 
ei-al's office at Washington, D. C, for two years. They have one child, 
Alfred Louis Wessling, Jr., bom July 9, 1921. 

Doctor Wessling is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern 
Woodmen of America, County, State and American Medical Associations, 
and is also a member of the American Legion at New Hampton, being a 
charter member at this place. He is captain of the Medical Reserve 
Corps and his commission will not expire until December 17, 1924. Doc- 
tor Wessling is also city physician of New Hampton. He is a skilled 
physician and has a large practice. 



E. J. Castle, a substantial farmer of Bethany Township, was bom in 
Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1852, the son of Ananias and Jane (Erwin) 
Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Ananias Castle came to Harrison County in 1871 
and settled in Union Township. He died at the home of his son, E. J. 
Castle, in 1903 at the age of seventy-seven years and his wife died in 
1908 at the age of eighty-three and both are buried at Oakland Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ananias Castle were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Mary Ellen Hollis, of Kansas City, Kansas; James M., of Philip 
County, Kansas; E. J., the subject of this sketch; Urias, of Los Angeles, 
Cahfornia; Mrs. Sarah Hughes, deceased, who lived in Oklahoma; Mrs. 
Martha Alamon, of Jennings, Oklahoma; William, of Rutland, Canada; 
Eli, who died at Jenings, Oklahoma, and Emma Carson, of Cameron, 
Missouri. 

E. J. Castle moved to his present farm March 18, 1885, at which time 
he bought ninety-one acres from the Cuddy estate, and later bought fifty 
acres from the George Hand land, and an additional two acres, making a 
total of one hundred forty-three acres in the home farm, which is located 



500 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

three miles northwest of Bethany, Missouri. Mr. Castle does general 
farming and also operates a threshing machine. 

Mr. Castle was married January 1, 1873, to Mary M. C. Friedley, a 
daughter of John M. and Cynthia (Araold) Friedley, who came to Har- 
rison County, September, 1857 and settled, first on Pole Cat Creek, and 
later bought a farm in Jefferson Township in 1863. Mr. Friedley died 
February 17, 1900 and his wife died February 15, 1907 and both are buried 
in Oakland Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Friedley were the parents of the 
following children: Mrs. Elizabeth King who died in Oklahoma; George 
W., who was killed at Brownville, Arkansas, while in the Federal service, 
in 1862; Mrs. Susan A. Seaburn of Bethany, Missouri; and Mrs. Castle, 
who was born in Harrison County, Indiana. July 26, 1853 ; Jacob D., 
born in 1842. 

Mr. and Mrs. Castle have two children living: Julia A., the wife of 
Shelby Wise, and who have five children, Moree, Rohenia, Irene, Oluf and 
Robert ; William R., a farmer of Dallas Township, who married Ada Wise, 
deceased, and who has one daughter, Ethel; and Davie E., who died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Castle has a primitive buhr stone, made and used by George Hand, 
who bought ninety acres of land in Jefferson Township, which is part of 
the farm now owned by Mr. Castle. This buhr stone was made by hand 
of native stone or "nigger" head being used for the base and another of 
the same kind cut to fit in a hole in the base and operated by horse power, 
and this primitive mill was used to grind corn for Mr. Hand and his neigh- 
bors. The capacity of the mill was about four or five bushels daily. Mr. 
Hand also made wagons, old fashioned spinning wheels and different 
kinds of implements, and was also a wheel wright. Mr. Hand was an 
early settler here, coming to this county about 1861, and died here in 
1883. 

Mr. Castle has a gold twenty-five cent piece which he has had for 
more than fifty years, and for which he has been offered $25.00. 

Mrs. Castle has a spinning wheel owned by her mother and given to 
her in 1836 when she was fifteen years of age, and she also has a Bible 
printed in 1828 and used by her father when he attended school in Ken- 
tucky. 

Mr. and Mrs. Castle have met with success in life, due to good man- 
agement, thrift and industry, and have many friends throughout the town- 
ship and county. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 501 

J. W. Cover, editor and publisher of the New Hampton Tribune, New 
Hampton, Missouri, learned the printer's trade in his father's office, be- 
ginning in 1883, when he owned the Albany Ledger. In 1884, J. H. Cover 
purchased the Bethany Broad Ax from D. J. Heaston, and continued as 
owner and editor for ten years, when he sold to J. A. Templeman. J. W. 
continued in his father's office till reaching majority. Was married to 
Mary Prentiss March 25, 1891. To this union eight children were born, 
seven living. 

Has been connected with several newspapers in north Missouri in the 
past thirty years. The past twelve years has been engaged in farming, 
previous to establishing this paper. The Tribune is doing a good business. 

The New Hampton Tribune was established January 1, 1921. J. W. 
Cover was born in Pike County, Illinois, October 22, 1869. Is fifty-one 
years old. Oldest son of J. H. and Margaret Cover, now deceased. 



Alvin Ellsworth Kidwell, a enterprising and well known citizen of 
near New Hampton, Missouri, was bom near Martinsville, Missouri, 
February 2, 1885, the son of Benjamin F. and Laura (Edson) Kidwell, 
both of whom now live at Martinsville. 

Benjamin Kidwell was born in Gentry County, Missouri, in November, 
1855, and his parents. Perry and Rebecca Kidwell came to Harrison County 
from Kentucky in 1854 and settled near Martinsville, where Perry Kid- 
well entered land and improved a farm. He died in 1910 at the home of 
John Barnes in Dallas Township, and his wife died in Martinsville in 1905 
and both are buried in Kidwell Cemetery on their old home place. Perry 
Kidwell's father, the great grandfather of Alvin E. Kidwell, was the first 
one buried in this cemetery. 

Benjamin F. Kidwell and wife reside at Martinsville, where Mr. Kid- 
well has been in the mercantile business for about thirty-five years. They 
are the parents of the following children Nellie, the wife of Willie Van- 
hoozer of Martinsville; Lemon Leroy, who lives on the old home place, 
which was entered by his grandfather; Gustavus, of Martinsville; Alvin 
E., the subject of this sketch ; Bertha, the wife of Lloyd England of Hol- 
yoke, Colorado ; Altie, the wife of Charles Walters of Martinsville ; Robert 
of Martinsville; Ola Kidwell, who died at the age of ninteen years, with 
tuberculosis ; Dorthy, who teaches at Mt. Tabor ; and Lula, a graduate of 
Martinsville High School. Robert Kidwell entered the U. S. Navy, in 



502 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

April, 1917, to serve in the World War, and soon after was on the Battle- 
ship Louisiana. He served three years and two months in the war. In 
March, 1921, he married Olive Creekmore, and they located in Martins- 
ville. 

Alvin E. Kidwell was educated in the schools of Martinsville, and, 
at an early age, began farming, which occupation, he has since followed. 
He owns his present place of fifteen and one-half acres, near New Hamp- 
ton, and also owns eighty acres two and one-half miles southeast of town, 
but moved to his farm near New Hampton for school privileges. Mr. 
Kidwell has a poultry house 24x30 feet, with two floors, which he built 
in August, 1920. He has 400 hens in this house now, and has many 
young chickens of the Rhode Island Reds and Brown Leghorn variety. 
His little place presents a neat appearance, with good residence, barn and 
garage, and he has electric lights in his residence and garage. Mr. Kid- 
well has forty Duroc Jersey hogs and a few Jersy cows. 

Alvin E. Kidwell was manied March 11, 1906 to Fannie E. Lam- 
bert, a daughter of John and Emma F. (Spitzer) Lambert. Mrs. Emma 
Lambert, who was born in West Virginia, died in 1913 at the age of 
fifty-two years on the home place near Martinsville, Missouri, and her 
husband, John Lambert is now living in Bethany, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert 
were the parents of the following children: Alberta, the wife of Wash 
Kinzley of Utopia, Kansas; David of Ochiltree, Texas; Sailor of Helena, 
Montana, Cheste of Kansas City, Missouri ; Bessie, who died at the age of 
five years; Mrs. Alvin E. Kidwell; Ruby, the wife of Thomas Updegraflf 
of Bethany: Dacy the wife of Frank Swartz of Martinsville; and Pearl, 
the wife of Clarence Travis of King City, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kidwell have two children: Eunice and Bernice, both 
of whom, attend school in New Hampton, Missouri. 



James W. Casebolt, a well known citizen of Bethany and member 
of a pioneer family of this county, was born in Jefferson Township, three 
miles north of Bethany, Missouri, November 5, 1865, the son of Harrison 
and Rachel (Archer) Casebolt, both of whom are deceased. Harrison 
Casebolt was born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 4, 1818, and died 
May 31, 1893. aged seventy-four years, eight months, twenty-seven days. 
He came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1854, and settled in Jefferson 
Township, where he improved a farm. He also owned other farms at 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 503 

different times. During the Civil War he was unable to join the army 
but declared his allegiance to the Union. He moved to Holt County, Mis- 
souri, in the fall of 1885 and lived with a son there until his death. He 
is buried in Miriam Cemetery at Bethany, with his wife, who died Febru- 
ary 13, 1899, aged seventy years, ten months, thirty days. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Casebolt were married in 1845 and were the 
parents of the following children: Mary E., the wife of James Gates, 
and who died in Kansas; Robert E., a retired farmer of Bethany, Missouri; 
John H., who died at the age of fifty-four years, and who was manager 
of the Commercial Hotel at the time of his death, and who was a butcher 
and in the restaurant business prior to entering the hotel; Elias, retired, 
of St. Joseph, Missouri; iive children who died in infancy; James W., 
of this sketch; Sarah Catherine Parker, deceased; David H., who died 
in North Dakota, and Lottie Ann, the wife of Ransom Hodgins of Holt 
County, Missouri. 

James W. Casebolt attended his first school in the old brick school 
house in Bethany, and later at Double Oak in Jefferson Township, then in 
the old ground hog and the Woollond south of Bethany, and, after sixteen 
years of age, worked for different people. After his marriage, he worked 
rented farms in this county. He eventually purchased twenty acres of 
land, and later thirty and one-half acres, which he improved and later 
traded for property in Bethany where he now lives, and, since moving to 
Bethany, he has been engaged in bridge work, and has also run a jitney, 

December 24, 1884, Mr. Casebolt was married to Ruth A. Zerbe, a 
daughter of William and Mary (Gilbert) Zerbe. Mrs. Zerbe lived at Mar- 
tinsville, Missouri where she died at eighty-two years of age. October 
30, 1921, and is buried in the Kidwell Cemetery by the side of her hus- 
band. Her husband died in 1916. 

Mr. and Mrs. Zerbe were the parents of the following children: 
Ed., a farmer in southern, Missouri; Flora, the wife of John Crotts of 
Martinsville, Missouri; Ida, the wife of Samuel Goucher, now deceased 
of Cherry County, Nebraska ; Ola, the wife of Lewis Adams of Chery 
County, Nebraska; Henry, deceased; Mrs. Casebolt, of this sketch; 
Jesse, deceased; Lizzie, the wife of Lewis Brown of St. Joseph, Missouri; 
Frank of Dallas township; and a son, who died in infancy; and Len of 
Ottowa, Kansas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Casebolt have nine children : Frederick Festus, a farmer 
of Dallas Township, who married Lillian Jennings ; Lillie May, the wife of 



504 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Merl Chubbick, of Lewis, Iowa ; Hershel, a farmer of Cherry County, Ne- 
braska ; Homer, a coal operator of Valley, Nebraska, and who married Clara 
Carter ; Robert Emmet of Casper, Wyoming ; Bert, who lives in Nebraska ; 
Flora Myrtle, who married Mable Carter of Jefferson Township; and 
Loretta and Velma, who live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Casebolt have nine 
grandchildren. 

Herschel Casebolt and Merl Chubbick were in the late War, the former 
enlisted at Merryman, Nebraska and was overseas in the cavalry service, 
and the l?vtter enlisted in the United States Navy from Iowa. 

Mr. Casebolt is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at 
JVIartinsville, Missouri. He is a well respected citizen of Bethany, and has 
irnany friends in this county. 



Peter A. Smith, a prominent farmer and stockman of Grant Town- 
ship, is a member of one of the pioneer families of this section. Mr. 
Smith was born on the place where he now resides in Grant Township, 
December 17, 1869. He is a son of Theodore A. and Mary (Brown) Dur- 
ham Smith, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Greenbrier 
County, West Virginia. 

Theodore A. Smith first settled in Pattonsburg, when he came to 
Missouri in 1856 and in 1866 he came to Harrison County and settled in 
Grant Township. He learned the carpenter's trade in earily life and was 
a very fine workman. He worked at his trade after coming to Harrison 
County and a number of houses which he built are still standing. He 
built the house where Peter A. Smith now lives in 1857 for BeiTy Music, 
who then owned the place which Mr. Smith afterwards bought and lived 
here until the time of his death. This was the first frame house built in 
this part of the county. The lumber used in this construction was sawed 
at Lock's Mills which was located on the Grand River. Mr. Smith did 
all the work in connection with building this house even to making the 
window sashes and doors which are of walnut and the siding is of the 
same material and also the interior finishing. The main building of the 
house is now occupied by Peter A. Smith and family and is in an excellent 
state of preservation. 

Theodore A. Smith also built the Burdine Taylor house and the Reak- 
aecker house, which are also still standing, occupied, and in a good state 
of preservation. 






> 
O 




I- . ... 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 505 

Theodore A. Smith remained in Harrison County until the Civil War 
broke out when he went to Illinois. He was unfit for military service and 
remained in Illinois until the close of the war. He then returned to Har- 
rison County where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 
the time of his death. He died October 13, 1903, at the age of seventy- 
six years. 

Peter A. Smith was the only child born to the marriage of Theodore 
A. Smith and Mary (Brown) Durham. By a fon^ier marriage of Theo- 
dore A. Smith to Catharine Stapleton, the following children were born: 
Anna, married James Reakaecker and is now a widow and lives in Okla- 
homa ; Berry E., Linn County, Kansas ; Mary, married D. W. Killen, Grant 
Township; Winifred, married A. D. Brunner and now lives in California; 
John M., Marionville, Missouri; Sarah C. married James McElhiney and 
she is a widow and now lives in Bethany, Missouri and Christina, married 
Isaac Phillebaum, Bethany, Missouri. 

The mother was first married to Martin Durham and three children 
were born to that union as follows: Edwin R., Kansas City, Missouri; 
Jennie, married John M. Smith, Marionville, Missouri; and Emma, mar- 
ried W. M. Swain and is now deceased. The mother died December 20, 
1909, at the age of eighty-one years. 

Peter A. Smith was reared on the home place in Grant Township and 
educated in the public schools. He has lived on the home place all his 
life except six years, when he lived at Bethany. He has always followed 
farming and stock raising and is one of the successful men in this line of 
endeavor in Harrison County. His place consists of 200 acres of well 
improved and productive land and he carries on general farming and stock 
raising. 

Mr. Smith was married February 2, 1902, to Miss Addie Spence, a 
native of Harrison County, who was also bom in Grant Township. She 
is a daughter of Marion and Lucinda Spence, early settlers of Harrison 
County who are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born 
two children: Howard M. and Earnest E., both of whom reside at home 
with their parents. 

Mr. Smith is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. 
He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Bethany, and the 
Brotherhood of American Yeoman. He is a substantial citizen and the 
Smith family rank among the best citizens of Harrison County. 



506 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Chester Hershel Casebolt, second son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Casebolt, 
was born November 12, 1881, in Harrison County, near Bethany, Mis- 
souri, where he lived until the year of 1914, when he went to Merryman, 
Nebraska, at which place he has resided ever since. 

In the year of 1917 he was called into service of the World War.. On 
the 25th of September, 1917 he was called to Camp Funston, Kansas, for 
training. He was placed in the 35th Company 164th Depot Brigade. He 
remained thei-e but a short time then he was sent to Camp Pike, Little 
Rock, Arkansas, and transferred from the 35th Company, to the 87th Divi- 
sion, Battery C, 335th Field Artillery. On July, 1918, he was sent to Camp 
Dix, N. J., remaining there till he was sent across to France, landing there, 
September 13, 1918, taking twelve days to cross. 

He served five months in France. On February 16th, 1919, he started 
for America, landing here the 5th of March at Camp Merritt, N. J. He 
remained there for a short time then was sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa, 
where he received his discharge and went to his home in Merryman, Ne- 
braska, where he still resides. On July the 3rd he was married to Miss 
Edith McCrav and has one child, a daughter, Lena Fern Casebolt. 



Jesse F. Gibson, a highly respected and enteriii'ising farmer of White 
Oak Township, was born in Ringgold County, Iowa, October 10, 1863, 
the son of Larkin A. and Elizabeth (Lytle) Gibson both deceased. Larkin 
Gibson was born in Hendricks County, Indiana in 1832 and died in 1908, 
and his wife was born in the same county about 1830 and died in July, 
1900 at the age of seventy-one years ; both are buried at Kober Cemetery. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were the parents of the following children: John C. 
of Worth County, Missouri; George W. of Colorado; Jesse F., of this 
sketch ; William S. of Colorado Springs, Colorado and James G. of Cali- 
fornia. 

During the Civil War, Larkin Gibson was with the Iowa State Militia 
and after the war, he came to Missouri and located in Washington Town- 
ship, Harrison County. He lived in a log cabin at first and knew all of 
the hardships of early days. He made trips to St. Joseph, Missouri, for 
salt, sugar and other supplies, and while there on one trip, his oldest 
son, who was with him, contracted scarlet fever, and after arriving home, 
the entire family also took the disease. Mr. Gibson's second home was 
a two story frame building, the lumber being hauled from Leon, Iowa. This 
was the first good frame house in that vicinity. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 507 

Jesse F. Gibson spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and 
attended the Zimmerman school in Washington Township. He remained 
at home until twenty-one years of age, and then for four years ran a 
hack line and carried mail from Siloam Springs to Albany, at the end of 
which time he began farming in this county, and bought 160 acres of 
land, which he improved and on which he lived until 1895, when he 
moved to Bethany and bought property, but returned to the farm and 
bought his present home from N. A. Johnson in 1919. This place consists 
of 122i acres, one and one-fourth miles northwest of New Hampton, and 
is well improved with good residence, bam and other buildings. There 
are five good wells on the farm, as Mr. Gibson appreciates the worth of 
plenty of good water, as during his early experiences in farming, when 
he handled stock a creek was the only source of stock water. 

Mr. Gibson was married in November, 1888 to Flora Carver, a daugh- 
ter of J. E. and Martha J. (Jones) Carver, both deceased. J. E. Carver 
was born in St. Francois County, Missouri and was a veteran of the Civil 
War, having been in the Confederate Army under General Marmaduke. 
He died in 1917 in Washington Township at the age of seventy-six years, 
and his wife died at Siloam Springs, Gentry County in 1902 at the age 
of forty-seven years. Mrs. Jesse Gibson was born in Gentry County and 
is the only child of her parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have had three children : Wade Alby, who died at 
the age of three years; Edward 0., who lives at home; and Sheldon on the 
home place. Sheldon Gibson married Marjorie Van Houten, a daughter 
of John and Anna Van Houten of Dallas Township. 

Mr. Gibson is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Denver Missouri. 
He is an energetic man and prominent in the affairs of his township, 
and his family stand high in the community. 



George R. Miller a successful attorney, with offices in Eagleville, 
Missouri, and also secretary of the Jefferson Highway Special Roard Dis- 
trict, was born near Hatfield, Missouri, November 16, 1893, the son of 
Judson D. and Myrtle B. (Fletcher) Miller, who now live at Eagleville, 
Missouri. Judson Miller is a retired farmer. He came here with his 
parents, Jacob A. and Malissa A. (Hill) Miller from Lowell, Indiana. 
Jacob A. Miler was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted from Illinois 
in the Union army. His wife died in 1878. 



508 HISTORY OF UAKKISON COUNTY 

Judson D. Miller and wife were the parents of two children: Charles 
A., now prosecuting attorney of HaiTison County ; and George R., the sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

George R. Miller was educated in the Eagleville High School, and 
was graduated therefrom in 1910 ?.nd then attended the Maryville State 
Teachers College for three years. He received his professional education 
in the Kansas City School of Law. Charles A. Miller is also a graduate 
of the Maryville State Teachers College and of the Kansas City School 
of Law. 

Mr. Miller was married August 29, 1917 to Lola Riley of Eagle- 
ville, Missouri, a daughter of C. L. Riley, (a druggist) and lona (Travis) 
Riley. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one child, a daughter, lona Myrtle. 

Mr. Miller is secretary of the Jefferson Highway Special Road Dis- 
trict and is also secretary of the Bethany Abstract and Title Company. 
He is an able lawyer and has an extensive practice in this section of 
the state. 

George R. Miller was in service during the World War. He entered 
the army June 20, 1918, and was mustered out February 10, 1919. He was 
with the medical detachment of the 210th Field Signal Battalion and 
stationed at Camp Funston. He was with the 10th Division, ready to 
go overseas when the antiistice was signed. 



Sergeant Levi C. Wilkinson, a well known young man of Bethany, 
was born at Mitchelville, Missouri, May 4, 1895, the son of John B. and 
Jane (Kinkade) Wilkinson, both of whom now live on a farm six miles 
northwest of Eagleville. John B. Wilkinson was a native of this county, 
and his wife was born in Ohio. They were married in this county, are 
the parents of the following children: Mrs. Wing Hacker of Bethany; 
Mrs. John Walker of Bethany ; Harlan of Eagleville, Missouri ; Mrs. John 
York and Mrs. Joe Sullivan of Bethany ; Mrs. Charles Hall of Essex, Iowa ; 
Levi C, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Ralph Lynch of Bethany, and 
Callie who lives at home. 

Levi C. Wilkinson was educated in the public schools of Bethany, and 
after finishing school, worked in a garage here until the beginning of 
the World War, when he enlisted May 28, 1917, as a private, and was 
first sent to Camp Clark at Nevada, Missouri, where he was stationed 
until September 26, 1917, and was then sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 509 

remained there until April 13, 1918. He was promoted to Corporal, Jan- 
nary 10, 1918. From Fort Sill he went to Long Island, New York, at 
Camp Mills and started overseas with the 35th Division, May 24, 1918, 
and landed at Liverpool, England, thence to Romsey, England and then to 
South Hampton, and from there, was sent to LaHavre, France. He went 
into the trenches June 28, 1918. He was with the Wesserling sector 
tember 13th to September 16th, and in the Argonne, September 26th to 
October 2nd. He was promoted to Sergeant, October 17, 1918 an was at 
Verdun, October 26th to November 2nd, and was entitled to two W. S. 
Chevrons. He was mustered out May 8, 1919, at Camp Funston. 

Levi C. Wilkinson was married September 23, 1919 to Letha Snead 
of Bethany, a daughter of N. H. and Lydia (Allen) Snead, who live at 
Nevada, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have one son, Delvin Lee, born September 4, 
1920. 

Mr. Wilkinson is the only one of the enlisted men from Bethany that 
was with Company G, during the entire war, and has the distinction of 
having never missed a day of service and was not transferred to any 
other company from the day of his enlistment until his discharge. 

Mr. Wilkinson, although a quiet, unassuming, young man, has many 
friends in Bethany. In relating his experiences in the battle of Argonne 
Forest, with Company G., he says that fifty-seven of the men were sur- 
rounded by Germans, and in this battle Lieutenant Moser, Sergant Arthur 
Bowers, Otto Harris, Cecil Harris, George Mew and a gunner by the 
name of Green and several other were killed. Mr. Wilkinson escaped 
during the night. Lemuel Parks of New Hampton and Russell Gale of 
Bethany with about twenty-five others were taken prisoners. 



Ellis Hill, a well known farmer and stockman and owner of Walnut 
Row Stock Farm near New Hampton, White Oak Township, comprising 
the northeast quarter of section twenty-nine, township sixty-three, range 
twenty-nine, was bom in Gentry County, Missouri, one-half mile from 
Harrison. March 17, 1863. He is the son of J. Frank and Susan T. (Baxter) 
Hill. J. Frank Hill was born near Bedford, Trimble County, Kentucky, 
April 17, 1836 and died November 3. 1908. He located in Gentry County, 
near New Castle in 1853 and bought a farm. He also entered forty acres 
of land, and traded for another forty acres. In the spring of 1865, he 



510 HISTORY OF HAKRISON COUNTY 

came to Harrison and settled in White Oak Township. His wife, who 
was a native of Clinton County, Missouri, born near Plattsburg, Novem- 
ber 28, 1834 and died November 10, 1910. Both are buried at Jones 
Chapel, which is now called Stafford Chapel. 

David R. Hill, grandfather of Ellis Hill, lived on a farm in Gentry 
County, north of New Castle, until his death which occurred when he was 
past eighty years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Hill were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: George Newton, who was born March 13, 1861 and died March 15, 
1861; Adelia Hill, born March 16, 1852 and died March 19, 1862; Ellis, 
the subject of this sketch; William H., born November 12, 1864 and who 
lives at Albany, Missouri ; Amanda M., born August 2, 1867 and died 
September 13, 1868 ; Amos Victor, born February 16, 1870, who lives in 
White Oak Township; Virginia E., born January 22, 1872 and died August 
30, 1873. 

Ellis Hill received a limited education in the schools of his community, 
but through observation and experience, has a varied and useful knowl- 
edge. He moved to his present farm in 1886, bringing all of his posses- 
sion in two wagons, and he says he could have hauled considerable more 
if he had had it. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land, having 
put all of the improvements on the place himself. He has a fine two 
story residence of seven rooms with a basement, 14x18 feet, four bams, 
poultry and hog houses and five wells which furnish plenty of water 
for farm and stock use. He raises registered pure bred Shropshire sheep, 
Missouri mules, Jersey cows and White Plymounth Rock chickens. 

Mr. Hill was married the first time April 15, 1886 to Lenore Parsons 
of Bethany, Missouri, who died in 1 902 and is buried at Foster Cemetery. 
They were the parents of four children; Leroy, born April 4, 1887, a 
fai-mer in Butler Township ; Loren, born March 4, 1889, the wife of C. L. 
Youngs of Cypress Township; Lena, bom December 20, 1890, the wife 
of A. R. Magee of White Oak Township and Lovell, born September 11, 
1894 and who married in 1915 Beatrice Bales of Albany, Missouri. 

The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Hill are: Goldie .Lester, Donald 
and Luther Youngs; Wilhelmina, Dwain and Leroy Jr. Hill; Mahl, Dorryl, 
Russell and Kathleen Magee; William, Margaret and Jerrold Hill. 

Mr. Hill was married the second time July 2, 1905 to Amanda 
Robertson, a daughter of Jeremiah and Matilda Parks, both deceased, 
her mother, who was bom in Gentry County, having died when Mrs. Hill 
was four years old. Her father was a native of Kentucky. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 511 

Mr. and Mrs. Hill have four children: Lemon, Lawrence, Leonard and 
Velma Marie. 

Mr. Hill is one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of the 
county's substantial men. He has filled the office of township collector 
of White Oak Township one term and for twenty-five years has been a 
member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Mr. Hill has lived in his school 
district longer than anyone here and has never missed but one school 
election, which shows the interest he takes in the affairs of his township. 



George W. Ward, a leading and successful farmer of White Oak 
Township, who has lived her for many years, was born on Big Creek, 
January 31, 1852, the son of Joseph and Ann (McMurphy) Ward. Joseph 
Ward came to Harrision County with his parents when Indians were 
still here and Joseph Ward, when a young man, assisted in moving the 
Indians from this county to reservations in Kansas. He died in 1888 
and is buried in White Oak Cemetery. A few months after his death, 
his widow moved to White Oak Township, where she married Mr. Evans 
and they entered land here. They both died just prior to the Civil 
War. 

George W. Ward is a self made man and early in hfe rented land 
for a few years, working by the day splitting rails for fifty cents to a 
dollar a day and also for seventy-five cents per hundred. By thrift and 
good management, he was soon able to buy seventy-nine acres of land, 
paying therefore $1,060.00. He now owns 160 acres in this township, and 
has put all of the improvements on the plac^ himself. He is engaged 
in general farming and stock raising and ships some stock. He raises 
registered Shropshire sheep and Spotted Poland China hogs. His farm is five 
and one-half miles southeast of New Hampton and eight miles southwest 
of Bethany on the old California trail to St. Joseph, Missouri. 

The first home of Mr. Ward was a cabin 14x16 feet, made of clap- 
board roof, and this was held down by weights as no nails were used. The 
floor was made of punching. 

Mr. Ward is a well preserved man and appears fifteen years younger 
than he is, and has had occasion for a doctor but twice in his sixty-eight 
years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wai'd have eight children and the following grandchil- 
dren : Beulah Bell, Bernice, Jesse, Foy, Forest, Frank, and Alberta Ward ; 



512 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Elijah, Lucille, Vodra, Sarah Buell, Buellah Bell, and Paul Magee Bless- 
ing; and one great granddaughter, a daughter of Wiliam Ward. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ward have lived a useful life, living not alone for 
themselves, but for their friends and neighbors, and therefore have many 
friends who honor and respect them. 



Peter Tanner, a retired farmer and stockman and the owner of 600 
acres of land in Madison Township, is one of the men who by dint of hard 
work, good management and unceasing perseverance has achieved marked 
success in life. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 23, 
1842, the son of David and Catherine (George) Tanner who were the 
parents of ten children, five of them still living: Julia, wife of George 
Tanner, of Hoopston, Illinois; Catherine, the widow of Radley Shockley, 
of Pickaway County, Ohio; John, living in Columbus, Ohio; Martha, the 
widow of Harry Adams, of Hollywood, California: and Peter, the second 
child among those living and the subject of this review. 

David Tanner was born in New York and went to Ohio with his pai"- 
ents. His father, Peter Tanner, was a German farmer who was reared 
in New York. David Tanner was a fai-mer in Pickaway County, Ohio, 
where he died February 1, 1878 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, 
Catherine (George) Tanner was born, reared and died in Ohio. 

Peter Tanner received his education in the common school of Pick- 
away County and learned to farm there. He left Ohio in December, 
1880, came to Harrison County and bought eighty acres of land in Madi- 
son Township, five miles west of Cainsville. He added to this land from 
time to time as he was able until he, at one time, owned 800 acres. He 
made extensive improvements and always found that they paid even if 
he had to go in debt. He went into the stock business feeding hogs, 
cattle and mules and in this line he was very successful. He now has 
three farms which are operated under his super\dsion. In October, 1919, 
Mr. Tanner retired from active farm life and he and his wife went to 
California, but returned to Missouri, December 20, 1919 and settled in 
Ridgeway. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tanner feel that Missouri snow is pre- 
ferable to California flowers and they grew homesick for their own state. 

Peter Tanner was twice married. His first marriage was June 25, 
1871, to Matilda Lane who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, December 
15. 1848 and died in Madison Township, July 7, 1886. To this union five 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 513 

children were born: G. A., a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Clara, 
•wife of Jacob Frost, of St. Joseph; Cora, married to W. H. Cooper, of 
Sand Springs, Oklahoma; W. V., of Ridgeway; and Catherine, married to 
Russell Morrain and living on the old home place in Pickaway County, 
Ohio. Mr. Tanner was married the second time, May 13, 1888, to Lovica 
Wilson, who was born in Morgan County, Indiana, February 20, 1863. 
To this union also five children were born: Clifford, living on the home 
place in Madison Township ; Florence, wife of E. B. Foxworthy, of Marion 
Township; Robert, a resident of Laramie, Wyoming; Alva, living at 
Marshalltown, Iowa; and Herbert, on a farm in Madison Township. By 
the children of his first marriage Mr. Tanner has sixteen grandchildren 
and by his second marriage, there are seven grandchildren. 

Mr. Tanner is a Republican in politics but says that he never had 
time for local offices. He and Mrs. Tanner recall vividly the hardships 
of their early days on the farm when Mr. Tanner fed stock in the snow 
and Mrs. Tanner sat up often until two o'clock in the morning sewing for 
the children. She often stayed at home for six months at a time, without 
even a trip to the neighboring town. Mr. Tanner has made his own way 
since boyhood and while the struggle seemed hard at times, both he and 
his wife say that, now since they are out of debt and have made a suc- 
cess of their work, it has been a pleasure as well as toil. They smile at 
the idea of the people of today having hard times and say that this 
generation knows nothing of real trials and privations. They are two 
interesting people whose recollections of their early days are worth 
hearing. 



Dr. Roy L. Grun, a well known and successful osteopathic physician 
and surgeon of New Hampton, Missouri, was born in Breckenridge, Mis- 
souri, February 4, 1896, the son of Charles D. and Viola M. (Burger) 
Grun; his parents have been residents of Breckenridge for many years, 
where his father is a barber. Their children are: Ray D., a pharmacist of 
Kansas City, Missouri; Leafy May, who lives at home; Roy L., the sub- 
ject of theis sketch; and Juanita Margaret, the wife of Russell F. Good of 
Chillicothe, Missouri. 

Roy L. Grun received his education in the schools of Breckenridge and 
was graduated from the high school in the class of 1914. He then at- 
tended the Warrensburg State Teachers College one year prior to enter- 
ing the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery, where he took 
(28) 



514 HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 

a professional course, and was graduated from this College in 1918. He 
then enlisted in the U. S. Navy, May 18, 1918, as hospital apprentice and 
was attached to Company B. Hospital Corps at the Great Lakes Naval 
Station where he remained until February 14, 1919, returning at that 
time to New Hampton where he has practiced since, meeting with excellent 
practice and success. Dr. Grun is a very able physician and is well 
equipped for the wide field which his general practice embraces. 

Dr. Grun was married August 18, 1920 to Edthye Anna Barnes a 
daughter of Charles S. and Emma Barnes of Bethany, Missouri. 

Dr. Grun takes an interest in lodge affairs and is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge at Breckenridge and of the Knights of Pythias at Nev/ 
Hampton. Dr. Grun is a young man with a bright future in his chosen 
profession. 



Rufus R. Young, deceased, a pioneer citizen of Harrison County, was 
born in Blunt County, Tennesse, November 22, 1829, the son of Jeremiah 
S. and Ruth (Boring) Young, who came to Missouri in the early days 
and settled first in Jackson County and then moved to Harrison County 
in White Oak Township in 1842, where both Rufus R. Young and his 
father entered land. Jeremiah Young was in the Black Hawk and Indian 
Wars and he died here in 1882 at the age of seventy-six years, and he 
and his wife, who died in 1877, and buried in Doanes Chapel Cemetery. 

Rufus R. Young entered 120 acres and later bought more land, own- 
ing at the time of his death 210 acres, and on this farm, all of his chil- 
dren were born, who are as follows : Lucy D., Jacob S. of Heppner, Oregon ; 
Lizzie P.. the wife of Albert Morgan, both deceased ; James G., who lived 
in Pueblo, Colorado prior to his death; Robert R., a druggist in Kansas 
City, Missouri; and Ella R. McNatt, who lives near McFall in Gentry 
County, Missouri. 

Lucy D. Young received her preliminary education in the public 
schools of White Oak Township, and at Albany, and afterward attended 
the Kirksville State Teachers College. After finishing her education, 
she taught her first school at the Burton school house and then next 
taught the second primary department in Bethany in 1877-1879. She 
then taught in Harrison and Gentry Counties, three years in Oregon 
State, and one year in Comanche County, Kansas, and then took a claim 
near Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon, and taught there while prov- 
ing the claim, on which she lived during her summer vacation. This was 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 515 

a wild part of the state at that time. She sold her claim about two years 
ago. 

Miss Young has lived in New Hampton for the past twenty years 
and intends making this Her permanent residence. She has led a busy 
and useful life and has done much to encourage the youth who attended 
the many schools she has taught, to make good citizens. Coming from one 
of the prominent and respected pioneer famihes of the county and having 
been connected with the early schools of forty years ago, she accomplished 
a great deal toward improving the system of education, the fruits of 
which are being reaped by the present generation. 



J. A. Christie, a prosperous farmer and stockman of near New Hamp- 
ton is a native of Daviess County, Missouri. He was born January 8, 1861, 
the son of H. B. and Martha E. (Burton) Christie, the former having 
died in New Hampton about 1907 and the latter in 1913. Martha Chris- 
tie's father was a native of Kentucky, but settled, at an early day, near 
McFall, Missouri. Both Mr. and Mrs. Christie are buried in Foster Ceme- 
tery. H. B. Christie, in early life, was a school teacher, and also taught 
music, but later followed stock raising and farming. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Christie were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: C. C. of Olathe, Colorado; J. A., the subject of this sketch; John 
F. of Olathe, Colorado ; Laura J., the wife of G. W. Bell of Gentry County, 
Missouri; Elizabeth, the wife of J. Z. Spiers of Olathe, Colorado; Lucy 
Mary, the wife of F. W. Savage of Spearville, Kansas ; Mattie, the wife of 
Dr. J. K. Chipp of St. Louis, Missouri ; Lettie, the wife of J. W. Smith of 
Hari'ison County, Missouri, and Abraham B., who died at the age of 
twenty-four years. He married Bertha Carter of Gallatin, Daviess County, 
Missouri, and had one daughter, Martha Elen, who lives with her mother, 
who is now Mrs. C. S. Twedell of New Hampton. 

J. A. Christie was educated in the public schools of Daviess and 
Harrison Counties, Missouri, and, in early manhood, followed farming 
in Butler Township. He bought his present home of 200 acres of good 
land in 1888, paying therefor $10.50 per acre. The site where the house 
now stands was formerly a brush patch at the time of the purchase, and 
the old St. Joseph Bethany trail ran through the yard, this being the road 
which was used in pioneer days for freighting with ox teams. The resi- 
dence now occupied by J. A. Christie and family was built in 1910, and 



516 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

is a good, substantial farm house, six miles south of New Hampton. The 
old bam, which rendered service for thirty years, was replaced in 1920 
by a new building. The farm is nicely improved and productive. 

Mr. Christie was married December 27, 1883 in Butler Township to 
Martha Ellen Humphreys, a daughter of Elcana and Rachel (Flint) Hum- 
phreys, both of whom are deceased. Her father was born in Tennessee 
and located, when a young man, near Gallatin, Missouri, and, in 1866, 
moved to Harrison County and settled in Butler Township, where he died 
in 1877, and his wife, who afterward married T. H. Green, died in 1913, 
both being buried at Matkins. Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys had the following 
children: Mary, the wife of S. L. Johnson, deceased; Mrs. Christie; Alice 
Maria, the wife of Ed. Taggart of Montgomery County, Kansas; Thomas 
F. of Iowa; George F., who died at the age of forty-four years at Liberal, 
Kansas and is buried at Matkins ; Margaret L., the wife of J. L. Hammons 
of Butler Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Christie have had the following children: Delia, the 
wife of C. K. Buchanan, and who died at the age of twenty-seven years, 
leaving two children: Dwain Eldon and Delores Ellen; Henry Edward, 
who was accidentally killed in Missouri, and who is survived by his wife, 
formerly Minnie Rice, and four children ; Lillie May, who lives at home ; 
Eva Eliza, the wife of J. B. Chipp of Butler Township; Thomas F., and 
Raymond H., both at home; Olney, who married Edna Chipp and lives 
in Butler Township; and James Webb, who lives at home and attends the 
New Hampton High School. 

Thomas F. Christie enlisted in the U. S. Army during the World 
War, July 24, 1918 and was sent to Camp Funston with Company I., but 
was prevented from going overseas because of the flu, and he was released 
in February, 1919 and returned home. 

Raymond H. Christie enlisted May 24, 1918 and was sent to Camp 
Dodge May 24th and then to Camp Mills August 10th. with the 88th Di- 
vision, Company K. of the Infantry. He started overseas August 16, 

1918, arriving at Liverpool August 28th and arrived in France at Scher- 
burg August 28th. On October 9th, he entered the trenches and one 
week later was sent to the trenches for the second time. He was on his 
way to Metz when the armistice was signed. Altogether he spent ten 
months in France and embarked to the United States May 20th, arriving 
here the 31st, and was mustered out at Camp Taylor, Kentucky June 9, 

1919, after thirteen months service. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 517 

Both Thomas F. and Raymond H. Christie are members of the Dun- 
can-Browning Post of the American Legion at New Hampton. This post 
was named in honor of Wilbur Duncan and Caroll Browning, two New 
Hampton boys who lost their lives in France. 

J. A. Christie is a public spirited and progressive citizen and his 
family are prominent and well liked throughout the township and county. 



Oakley Manring, one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of 
Butler Township, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, June 6, 1858, the 
son of Maschil and Ann (Love) Manring. His father was an expert pig 
iron maker and also engaged in farming. He served three years and 
nine months in the Union Army during the Civil War, enlisting in 1862. 
He was captain of Company A., 56th Ohio and was with this Company 
during the battle at which General Prentice was captured. He came to 
Missouri May 9, 1865 and settled near McFall, Gentry County Missouri, 
and ten years prior to his death, in 1907, he moved to McFall, Missouri. 
His wife died at the homestead near McFall in 1917. They 
were the parents of the following children : Oakley the subject of 
this sketch ; Flavins, deceased ; Ellen, who died in infancy ; Ed D., of McFall, 
Missouri, a graduate of the University at Columbia, Missouri, Maschil, who 
lives on the home place; Frank, who died in 1898 at McFall, and who 
had finished his education at Columbia, Missouri; William Sherman, who 
lives on the old homestead ; and Eva, who died in 1870. 

Jordon Manring, the grandfather of Oakley Manring, came from 
Virginia to Ohio in pioneer days. His wife was a niece of General John 
Knox of Revolutionary fame, and was also one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Jordan Manrings' father was captain of a 
company in the Revolutionary War, and his son was a captain in the 
War of 1812. 

Oakley Manring was educated in the public schools and spent one year 
at Columbia, 1878-1879. He then entered the lumber business at Stan- 
berry, Missouri, going from there to north central Nebraska where he 
lived ten years, returning then to Harrison County, and locating on the 
farm where he now lives, in 1895. He has a farm of 240 acres, good 
bottom land, well improved, with residence, bam, silo and other buildings 
suitable for farming and stock use. He does general farming and stock 
raising, feeding cattle and hogs, and, because of his industry and thrift 



518 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

has made a success. He has also always found time to take a live in- 
terest in politics, belonging to the Republican party. While in Nebraska, 
he held the office of county commissioner for six years, and has also 
filled the office of justice of the peace. 

Mr. Manring was married the first time in 1887 to Inez Adams of 
Nebraska, who is now deceased. They were the parents of four child- 
dren : H. G. of Harrison County ; John Franklin, who was accidentally 
killed; Orville M., of South Dakota and William Harold of Harrison 
County. Mr. Manring married his present wife ,Eliza C. McCulloch of 
Gentry County, Missouri, in 1903. She was born in Indiana, the daughter 
of Porter and Sarah Ann McCulloch, both of whom located near McFall, 
Missouri in 1868. Her father was a veteran of the Civil War from 
Indiana. 

Two of Mr. Manring's sons H. G. and Orville wei-e in the U. S. Army 
during the World War. H. G. Manring enlisted in September, 1917 and 
was with the 91st Division overseas. He was with the Heavy Artillery 
348 and was in the Meuse Argonne in October, 1918 and north of Verdun 
about five kilometers, and at Hill 304 when the armistice was signed. He 
was with the army of occupation from November until March 19, 1919, 
returning to the States in April, 1919 and was mustered out at Cheyenne, 
Wyoming, having been in service nineteen months. He is a member 
of the Duncan-Browning post at New Hampton. 

Orville Manring was in service about six months. He had a difficult 
time in enlisting, being refused at American Lake, Camp Lewis, Wash- 
ington, at Bethany and at Jefi'erson Barracks, but finally passed muster 
at South Dakota. 

Oakley Manring and two sons, H. G. and William H. are members of 
the Masonic Lodge at McFall. The Manring family have many friends 
in the county and stand high in the community. 



Andrew Jesse Rowhuff, a prosperous farmer and substantial citizen 
of Butler Township, and a native of Daviess County, Missouri, was born 
February 4, 1860, the son of James H. and Matilda (Green) Rowhuff. 
His mother was also a native of Daviess County, born in 1836, and a 
daughter of Jesse and Mary (Groomer) Green, early settlers of this 
county, coming from Kentucky. Matilda Rowhuff' died in 1882 and is 
buried at Matkins Cemetery. James H. Rowhuff died in 1892 at the 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 519 

age of eighty-two years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting 
at the age of fifty years, and serving nearly three years with Company G, 
in a volunteer infantry regiment from Missouri. He came to Harrison 
County in 1864 and settled on the farm now owned by Oakley Manring, 
but lived in McFall, Missouri, eighteen months prior to his death. 

James H. Rowhuff was married four times, and to the union with 
his first wife, who was Margaret Sharpe, six children were born, as 
follows: Leonard, a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Confederate 
Army, and died in the service in Southern Missouri; Napoleon B., who, 
when heard from last, was living in South Missouri; Nathaniel, who died 
in Denver, Colorado in 1906, as the result of a street car accident; Mrs. 
Phoebe Lyons, who died in Idaho in 1876; Mrs. Nancy Brown, the widow 
of Thomas Brown and who lives in Hamburg, Iowa; and Catherine John- 
son, of La Russell, Missouri, the widow of Harvey Johnson. 

By his second wife, Mr. Rowhuff had two children: Charles G., who 
died when twelve years of age; and Andrew Jesse, the subject of this 
sketch. 

Andrew Jesse Rowhuff received his education in the district schools, 
and grew to manhood on his father's farm, remaining there until twenty- 
four years of age, when he purchased forty acres in 1888. He now owns 
an excellent two-hundred-acre farm, which he bought at different times, 
buying and paying for the land as he was able. His residence is two 
and one-fourth miles southwest of Matkins. Other improvements are, 
one barn and cattle shed, ice house, two ponds, etc. He has one of the 
best watered farms in the county and the water is piped in the pasture 
from a shallow well. By thrift, hard work and good management, Mr. 
Rowhuff has been very successful. 

January 18, 1888, Mr. Rowhuff was married to Lydia Daniel, a daugh- 
ter of Frank and Ruanna (Salmon) Daniel. She was born in Butler 
Township. Her father died at the age of thirty-one, in 1870, and her 
mother died in 1907 at the age of sixty-four years, and both are buried 
in Daniel Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rowhuff have three children: Bessie, the wife of 
Howard Gill of Butler Township; Walter, who married Ellen Ives, of 
Fort Madison, Wisconsin, now residing at Emporia, Kansas, and James, 
who lives at home, and who was at Camp Funston, Kansas, when the 
armistice was signed. He went there in July, 1918, and was mustered 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

520 



fi 1919 He was a first-class private in Company I of the 
out February 6, 1919. ne w^ 

20th Infantry Regiment. ^^^ He enlisted in 

Howard Gill served «^^^/^^/_^^"f '^'^on going overseas with the 

September, 1917. and trained ^l^^^lXTll^:^. He was with the 

trustee. He is at present secretary -^ -asm ^^^^^^ .^ independent. 
Hampton Telephone ^^^^^^^^J-J^^^Tt^, township, and widely known. 
He is one of the enterpnsmg citizens 

• 4. ^f tvio Donelson Motor Com- 
C. H. Donelson, owner and PJ^^f ^/^fgress ve and enterprising 
pany, at ^idgeway^Missoun .s one of^the pr^J^^ ^^ ^ ^^^.^^ ^^ ^^^^ 
business men of Harrison County^ M ^^^.^.^^ ^^ ^^.^ ^^. 

county and belongs to one o^ ^he very ^^^ ^ P ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^.^ ^4, 

tion of Missouri. He was born "^^^J"^ ^^ ^^ ^hat section of Har- 

natTves'of Illeghany County, ^-""^^1;;";^"^ ^^^^^^ied in Pennsylvania and 
Ruben Donelson and Margaret Hall - - ™ Center, Harrison 

in 1859 came to Missouri and e tied at Wa f^^^.^ ^^^^ down the 
County. They made the ^nvJro..^^e.r ^J^^,^^.^^ ^, g,. j,,eph, 
Ohio and up the M--ssippi and Missoun r ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ 

Missouri. From there they dro^^yox^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^, 

at Washington Center. The entire ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^.^^. 

reaching Washington ^^^t "'i employm nt at such work as a pioneer 
ing here Ruben fo-lson obtained e^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^.^ ^^^ ^^e made 

country afforded at wages that seem ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^ ^^ ^,e- 

rails for fifty cents per hundred ^^r Unc^e ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ 

„.embered as one of the P-"-- «/ ^^^^'^hhigton Center that section 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 521 

owner and a successful farmer. In the early days their post-office was 
at Amos, Missouri, a distance of four miles from the Donelson home. 
Amos Jewett kept a store and the post-office there. Allendale, the nearest 
town, was nine miles distant. Mr. Donelson hauled goods from St. Joseph 
to Allendale, a distance of about 100 miles during the winter seasons. In 
those days the trails across the prairie were at times almost impassable 
and to make one of these trips required several days. 

Vv^hen Mr. Donelson purchased his homestead right there was a 
pioneer log cabin on the place, and this was the home of the Donelson 
family for a number of years. Their furniture was of the crude pioneer 
type, consisting of home made chairs and bedsteads built in connection 
with the walls of the cabin in true pioneer fashion. The nearest grist- 
mill was the old Comer stone mill which was twelve miles away and the 
pioneers took their corn there to be ground into meal and frequently the 
pioneers converted their corn into coarse meal with a crude home made 
tin grater and C. H. Donelson remembers of having eaten corn bread 
which was made from meal that was prepared in that wav. Although 
comparatively a young man his life has spanned the crude pioneer past 
and the present day convenience and progressive methods. When the 
Donelson family settled in this county and for many years afterward 
native wild animals of the prairie were plentiful. Prairie chickens, deer, 
wolves and wild turkeys were here in their native haunts. 

To Ruben and Margaret (Hall) Donelson were born twelve children, 
eleven of whom grew to maturity as follows: Lucinda, married George 
Jordan, Washington Center; Eugene, lives near Hatfield; Thomas C, 
Salisbury, Missouri; U. G., St. Joseph, Missouri; C. H., the subject of 
this sketch; Mary Belle, married Will Young, of Salisbury, Missouri; 
Minnie, married Lewis Bumgardener; John M., lives in Kansas; Jordan, 
Hatfield, Missouri; Frank, Creston, Iowa; and Lawrence, Salisbury, Mis- 
souri. Ruben Donelson and his wife are now deceased and their remains 
are buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, near Washington Center. They 
were true pioneers of Harrison County and as such their memory is well 
worthy of perpetuation in a work of this character. Ruben Donelson 
gave his service to the cause of the Union during the Civil War, having 
been a member of the state militia and at one time was with his com- 
mand on an expedition as far west as Colorado. 

C. H. Donelson was reared near Washington Center and received 
such education as the locality and the times afforded. Early in life he 



522 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

engaged in farming and stock raising and also bought and fed cattle. 
He specialized in buying calves and feeding them until they were three 
years old which he found to be a very profitable business. He lived in 
Washington Township for a number of years and later removed to Lincoln 
Township which was his home for thirty years. In 1913 he left the farm 
and moved to Hatfield, where he was engaged in the automobile business. 
In 1917 he came to Ridgeway where he has since been engaged in the 
automobile business. He has handled the Ford cars for the past nine 
years and during that time he has sold more cars than any other dealer 
between St. Joseph and Des Moines. He also handles the Fordson tractor. 
He also conducts a complete repair department in connection with his 
storage garage. 

The Donelson garage is one of the best equipped and most complete 
garages in the state. The south part was built in 1917 and the north 
part in 1920. The building has a frontage of 120 feet on Main street and 
is ninety-six feet deep and is constructed of concrete and brick. The 
floor slopes gently from the center to the sides where gutters are pro- 
vided which carry away all drippings from the machines, such as water 
and oil. This plan is original with Mr. Donelson and automobile men from 
all over the country have been interested in this feature of garage con- 
struction and many who were contemplating building new garages have 
visited the Donelson garage to familiarize themselves with this plan. 
The south half of the Donelson garage is devoted to storage and the re- 
pair department and the north half is devoted to the stock room and 
offices. The storage department has a capacity of 100 cars and there are 
usually about six men employed. This is one of the important business 
concerns of Harrison County and Mr. Donelson is deserving of much 
credit in the enterprise and progress shown in its rapid development. 

Mr. Donelson was married February 25, 1878 to Miss Minnie Adair, 
daughter of David Adair, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Har- 
rison County. To Mr. and Mrs. Donelson have been born three children 
as follows: Arthur, who conducts a garage at Lamoni, Iowa; Effie, mar- 
ried Everett Bell, Lamoni, Iowa, who is engaged in the automobile busi- 
ness there in partnership with Arthur Donelson; and Clella Mae, who is 
a student in the Ridgeway High School. 

Mr. Donelson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the widely known 
business men of Harrison County and always stands for progressiveness 
and citizenship of a high standard. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 523 

Otis G. Butler, a well known farmer and member of a pioneer family 
of this county, and proprietor of Riverview Stock Farm, was born in the 
residence where he now lives March 30, 1885, the son of Albert and Ella 
(Sutton) Butler. Albert Butler was born on the same place March 21, 
1845, and died March 23, 1913, and his wife, who was born February 23, 
1861 in Ohio, is now living in Bethany, Missouri. 

Asaph Butler, the grandfather of Otis G. Butler, was a native of Ver- 
mont; he came to Missouri in 1840 from Illinois via ox team, accompanied 
by Mr. Maize, now deceased citizen of this county, and entered the farm 
now owned by his grandson. He was the first county judge of Harrison 
County and the first court was held under an elm tree on the Slaughter 
farm in Bethany Township. Asaph Butler's first home was a cabin, which 
he replaced after a few years with a frame house and he was the first 
settler in the county to have window glass in his house. He built a third 
home, now the residence of Otis G. Butler in 1866. The weather board 
of this building is hand dressed and of native walnut and the frames are of 
oak. Albert Butler lived in this house all of his life with the exception 
of two years prior to his death. Asaph Butler is buried in Butler Ceme- 
tery, a part of his home fami and Harmon Butler, a son, was the first one 
buried there in 1853. 

Mr. and Mrs. Asaph Butler were the parents of the following children : 
Harmon, deceased; Clarista, the wife of Austin Brown, both deceased; 
Orlin, a veteran of the Civil War, now deceased, who married a Miss Mc- 
Intyre ; Horace, a Civil War veteran, who lived in Gentry County, and later 
moved to Kansas where he died, and who mairied Ida Young; Clarinda, 
the wife of Michael Price of Gentry County; Oscar, who died while serv- 
ing as prosecuting attorney of Harrison County ; Norton, a veteran of the 
Civil War, who died in Bethany Township, and who was married three 
times and reared a large family ; Mary, the widow of Thomas Allen, who 
had formerly married a Mr. Chapman; and Alice, the wife of Charles 
Seymour of Estacada, Oregon. 

Albert Butler was a prominent stockman and farmer of Cypress Town- 
ship and is buried in Butler Cemetery. He and his wife were the parents 
of the following children: Ovid H., of Bethany Township; Otis G., the 
subject of this sketch; and Bettie E., who died in infancy. 

Otis G. Butler was educated in the Maise School district and has made 
his home in Cypress Township all of his life. He has a farm of 120 acres, 
all upland, and one of the best fai-ms in the community and it is named 



524 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the Riverview Stock Farm. The place is well improved with good resi- 
dence, barn and other buildings suitable for general farming and stock 
raising. 

Mr. Butler was married February 26, 1911 to Florence Meadows, a 
daughter of W. H. and Mary E. (Bardrick) Meadows. W. H. Meadows 
was born in Daviess County and his wife is a native of Ohio. They now 
live in Pattonsburg and are the parents of the following children: Mrs. 
Butler; an infant, deceased; James Jesse, deceased; Joseph R., who mar- 
ried Irene Miller and lives in Kansas City, Missouri ; and Roxie E., of Kan- 
sas City, Missouri. 

Mrs. Butler was born in Daviess County, Missouri, near Pattonsburg 
and was educated in the county and Pattonsburg schools. Mr. and Mrs. 
Butler have three daughters: Mary E., Helen Meadows and Ruth Garnett. 

The Butler family are substantial and influential citizens and are well 
known throughout the county. 



William Madison Clark, who is successfully engaged in farming and 
stock raising in Bethany Township, was born in Clay County, Missouri, 
near Kearney, June 15, 1869, the son of B. P. and Mary Elizabeth (Arnold) 
Clark, both deceased. B. P. Clark was married in Clay County, Missouri, 
and came to Harrison County about 1872, and bought 160 acres of land, 
which is now owned by Charles Hix and Argil Tilley. He improved this 
farm and reared his family here. During the Civil War he was a member 
of the Home Guard of Missouri and saw service at the time of Price's raid. 
He died in April, 1919, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife died 
about 1905 ; both are buried in Matkins Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Clark were the parents of the following children: 
William M. ; Mrs. Callie Vance, the wife of C. M. Vance of Butler Town- 
ship; Elizabeth, the wife of W. C. Cole of Bethany, Missouri; Walter of 
White Oak Township ; Lillie, the wife of Walter Francis of Colorado ; 
Cordie, the wife of Jacob Youngman of Butler Township; Aubrey of 
Lockwood, Missouri; Jesse of Bethany, Missouri: Benjamin of Hamilton, 
Missouri; Manley of Hamilton, Missouri; and Glenna, the wife of Fred 
Cooper of Bethany Township; Idas Ira and Gladys, deceased, and buried 
in Matkins Cemetery. 

William M. Clark was educated in the home district school and has 
lived here since he was three years of age. He owned two farms in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 525 

Cypress Township prior to buying his present home in 1904, purchasing 
at that time eighty acres. He now owns 137 acres of second bottom, 
good soil. The residence on the farm was built by Luther Tilley, and 
the barn was built by Mr. Clark. The farm is all under cultivation, and 
is one of the best places in this vicinity. Mr. Clark does general farming, 
and raises registered Jersey cows and Spotted Poland hogs. 

Mr. Clark was married April 20, 1889, to Ermine Scofield, a daugh- 
ter of David and Cornelia (Thackera) Scofield, both deceased, and who 
were early settlers of Cypress Township. Mr. Clark grubbed the stumps 
out of the Scofield farm twenty-five years after Mr. Scofield had cleared 
the land. Mr. Scofield saw service in the Civil War, and died when thirty- 
four years of age. He and his wife are buried in Butler Cemetery in 

Cypress Township. 

Mr and Mrs. Clark are the parents of seven children: Zella, the 
wife of Herchel Sutton of Cypress Township; Roy. who married Blanche 
Williamson and who live on the home place; Hazel, the wife of Irlin 
Maize of Bethany Township; Artie, the wife of Argyl Tilley; Eva, the 
wife of Raymond Selby of Cypress Township; Jennie and Ray, both at 

home. 

Mr. Clark is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at 
Bridgeport, Missouri, and has served on the school board of his township 
for several years. He is well known in the township and has many friends. 



Claude A. Endsley, a prominent farmer of Butler Township, and pio- 
neer of Harrison County, was born at Bethany, Missouri, February 27, 
1875, the son of John Henry and Adelaide (Sneed) Endsley, both deceased. 

John Endsley came from Ray County, Missouri, in 1840, with his 
father Abraham Endsley, when the former was three years of age, and 
settled in Cypress Township. Abraham Endsley died two and one-half 
miles west of Matkins in 1882 and is buried at Matkins. His wife. Eliza- 
beth Endsley died in 1884. 

John Endsley moved to the present farm of Claude Endsley in 1859, 
and owned 140 acres on which he built a good residence and a barn 44x64 
feet, which was torn down forty-one years later and a new one built. He 
was a stockman and farmer and raised Hamilton horses, mules, cattle and 
hogs. In the '50's, he earned mail on horse back from Chillicothe to Beth- 
any, Missouri, and drove a wagon from Bethany to Montana across the 



526 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

plains, taking six months to make the trip. He died June 11, 1906 and his 
wife died in 1894 ; both are buried in Matkins. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Endsley were the parents of the following children : 
Henry and Charlie, deceased ; Edgar of Kansas City, Missouri ; Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Yeater, deceased, who married Dr. H. P. Yeater; Clarence, deceased; 
Claude A., of this sketch; Catherine, deceased; Milton, of Whitewater, Kan- 
sas ; Tuna, deceased ; Ida, the wife of W. L. George, of Hotchkiss, Colorado, 
and who have five children, Helen, Howard, Everett, Ethel, Margaret; 
Horton, of Hotchkiss, Colorado, who married Julia George, and who has 
three children, Ida, Ruby and Evelyn. 

Claude Endsley and his brothers and sisters were educated at the 
Tull school house in Butler Township. He was married in 1914 to Martha 
Dunkle, a daughter of John and Nancy Dunkle of Butler Township, both 
deceased. Mrs. Endsley was born in Dallas Township and died November 
6, 1920 at the age of fifty-three years. 

Mr. Endsley has lived on his present farm for about forty-six years. 
He has been very successful in general farming and stock raising and is 
well known throughout the county. He is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows at Martinsville, No. 547. 



Oliver W. Curtis, an expert automobile mechanic, but who is at present 
farming in Butler Township, was bom in Van Buren County, Michigan, at 
Hartford, April 3, 1883. the son of Ezra and Julia E. (McNitt) Curtis. 
Ezra Curtis was born in New York, April 11, 1834 and is now living at 
Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his wife died in Hartford, Michigan, October 
11, 1914. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Curtis were the parents of the following children : 
Barney, of California; Alva and Mrs. Leona Tiemey, both deceased; Mrs. 
Bertha Brague, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; John, of St. Joseph, Missouri; 
Harry, of California; Ada, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Oliver W., of this 
sketch ; and Grover C, of Benton Harbor, Michigan. 

Oliver- W. Curtis was educated in the public schools of Michigan, and 
spent three years in Lewis Institute at Chicago, a mechanical and mathe- 
matical school, and, after finishing his education, he was in the automobile 
business in Chicago and followed this line of work until recently, when he 
traded his garage in Blythedale, Missouri, for his present farm in Butler 
Township, in May, 1921. He has eighty-five acres one and one-half miles 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 527 

east of Matkins, formerly the C. M. Vance place ; fifteen acres are in oats, 
fifteen acres in corn, fifteen acres in hay and the remainder is in pasture. 

Mr. Curtis was married in 1914 to Beulah Walton of Blythedale, Mis- 
souri, a daughter of J. W. and Rosa Walton, both of whom live at Blythes- 
dale. 

Mr. Curtis is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Eaglesville, Missouri, 
and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Blythedale, Missouri. 

Although Mr. Curtis is an expert automobile man and a very efficient 
mechanic, he has always wanted a farm and is now doing the work he likes 
best. He can make an entire automobile and desires to study electrical 
work further. 



Lewis F. Salmon, a well known farmer and stockman of Butler Town- 
ship, and proprietor of Ackenside Stock Farm of near McFall, Missouri, 
was born in Gentry County, Missouri. August 10, 1874, the son of Eli and 
Clarinda J. (McGinley) Salmon, both of whom live in Butler Township. 
Eli Salmon was born in Butler Township in 1853, and his wife was bom 
in Gentry County in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Eli Salmon are the parents of the 
following children: Lewis F., Elmer E., of Ft. Scott, Kansas; Mrs. Nona 
Yount, of St. Joseph, Missouri ; and Mrs. Ida Morris, deceased. 

Lewis F. Salmon bought his present farm in August, 1910. This place 
was formerly owned by John A. Smith, but who is better known as "Yankee 
Smith." Mr. Salmon has improved the farm with a number of buildings, 
silo, two wells, poultry house, etc., and has fine water for the stock and 
home. He raises Duroc Jersey hogs registered, Shropshire sheep. Short- 
horn cattle and pure bred white S. C. Leghorn chickens. His son Ross 
Salmon takes care of the hogs. They have the blood line of "Pathfinder 
Sensation" and "Orion Chen-y Kings", and all of the Durocs are registered. 
"Perfect Sensation," No. 378325 is the herd head and they have about 150 
head of hogs on the farm now. 

Mr. Salmon was married September 26, 1887 to Clara A. Rice, a 
daughter of Garrett and Harriet Rice. Mr. Rice died in Butler Township 
and is buried in New Hope Cemetery and his widow lives at McFall, Mis- 
souri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Salmon have two children: Velma V., who is now in 
her first year in Bethany High School ; and Ross R., a graduate of Bethany 
High School of class 1919, and who attended the State University of Mis- 



528 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

souri at Columbia for two years, where he specialized in agriculture and 
stock raising. 

Mr. Salmon is a member of the Butler Township board and is also a 
member of the following lodges : Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mod- 
em Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World. 

Mr. Salmon is a substantial citizen and stands high in the county, 
where he has many friends. 



Capt. Carlisle R. "Chuck" Wilson, who distinguished himself on the bat- 
tle fields of France in the World War and gave his life to the cause, will 
long be remembered as one of the honored and favorite young men of 
Harrison County. "Chuck" Wilson was held in the highest esteem by 
all who knew him. He always took a kindly interest in the welfare of 
friend and neighbor and vi'as possessed of the rare faculty of making 
loyal friends and many of them. This was because he was a sincere and 
loyal friend himself. 

Carlisle Wilson was a son of James C. and Alice E. (Turner) Wilson. 
He was born in Bethany, July 28, 1891. He was educated in the public 
schools of Bethany, Wentworth Military Academy from which he gradu- 
ated in 1910, University of Missouri, where he was in college from 1909 
until 1913, and the Law School of Washington University at St. Louis, 
Missouri, where he spent the years 1914 to 1916. 

Captain Wilson had an unusual athletic record and was one of the 
star foot ball players in the Missouri valley and the west, having been 
chosen all-Missouri valley center for years 1912-1913. He was captain 
of the foot ball team at the University for a year and was the greatest 
center Missouri has ever had, and also held the position of assistant 
coach at the university for a year. 

Captain Wilson enlisted in Company G, 4th Missouri Infantry in 
July, 1915, and later went with his company to the Mexican border in 
1916. He was mess sergeant for a time and on January 29, 1917 was 
promoted to the rank of first sergeant. On May 30, 1917 he was com- 
missioned second lieutenant in Company G and was called into service 
of the United States government on August 5, 1917. He trained at 
Camp Doniphan with Company G, 139th Infantry. In February, 1918, 
he was commissioned first lieutenant and on April 19th of that year he 
was sent overseas. He participated in the defensive sector of Vosges, 




CAPTAIN CARLISLE R. "CHUCK" WILSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 529 

the battles of St. Mihiel and in the battle of Argonne Forest in which 
battle he was wounded on September 27 1918. He was awarded the 
Distinguished Sei-vice Cross for extraordinary valor and heroism in action 
near Montblainville, France, September 27, 1918. His citation reads: "In 
order to establish and maintain liaison with the adjacent division, Lieu- 
tenant Wilson, though wounded, led his men along the Cise River and 
across a bridge through the heaviest kind of artillery and machine gun 
fire. He died soon after this exploit from the wounds received." He was 
commissioned captain on October 24, 1918, but died from his wounds 
November 7, 1918, at Pogues Levaux, France, and was buried at Never, 
France. 

The Wilson-Axline Post No. 216, of the American Legion, was named 
in honor of Capt. Carlisle Wilson and Lieut. Arthur A. Axline. Captain 
Wilson belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Colum- 
bia, Missouri, and was a member of several fraternities at the university. 
Among them were A. T. 0., T. N. E., Quo Vadis and the Mystic Seven. 



Joshua F. Selby, an enterprising young farmer of Bethany Township, 
was born on the farm where he now lives, January 12, 1886, the son of 
John F. and Mary F. (Sutton) Selby. The latter, who now lives in 
Bethany, Missouri, is a daughter of Capt. Simeon Sutton, a veteran of 
the Civil War. 

John F. Selby was born in Harrison County, Missouri, and died in 
1903 at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a stockman and farmer 
and was county judge of his district two or more terms. He was widely 
known and had many friends throughout the county. 

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Selby were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Edmund Roscoe, of Kansas City, Missouri; J. F., the subject of this 
sketch; Grace, who is employed in the census bureau at Washington, 
D. C. ; Gladys, the wife of J. C. Frisbie of Sherman Township ; John E., a 
farmer of Sherman Township; and Florence, who hves at home. By a 
former marriage of John F. Selby, he had a son, William 0. Selby, of 
Downs, Kansas, who is a traveling salesman. 

Joshua F. Selby was educated in the public schools and has been 

engaged in farming all of his life. He purchased the home place from 

the heirs and has since bought 200 acres adjoining, making a total of 440 

acres in his farm, which is located two and one-half miles south of Beth- 

(29) 



530 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

any, Missouri. The farm is well watered and nicely improved. Mr. Selby 
raises cattle, hogs and has fed cattle. He raises the Chester White reg- 
istered hogs. 

Mr. Selby was married August 14, 1918 to Clarice Pearl Neff, a 
daughter of Jesse S. and Martha Neff, both of whom live in Bethany, Mis- 
souri. To Mr. and Mrs. Selby has been born one child, Frederick Earl, 
born June 23, 1921. 

Mr. Selby has very capably filled the office of township trustee of 
Bethany Township for six years, his term expiring in April, 1921. He 
is a progi'essive and wide-awake young farmer and is meeting with success. 

A pioneer school house, known as the Ground-hog school house, made 
of logs, stood on the farm when John F. Selby purchased the place. The 
school was located about one-eighth mile from the present residence of 
Joshua Selby, and was torn down by Mr. Selby after he came here. Many 
of the children of the early pioneers attended school here. It was very 
primitive and on the east side there was a log removed to let in light. 



John W. Bacon, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising in Bethany Township, and a member of a pioneer family of this 
county, was born in Bethany Township, February 26, 1875, the son of 
Henry C. and Mary D. (Kinkade) Bacon. Henry C. Bacon was also born 
in this township, October 16, 1846, and is now living in Bethany, having 
retired from the farm in 1901. His father, Levi Bacon, came to Harrison 
County from Ohio, June 4, 1846, and settled in Bethany Township, entering 
land in section 34. Levi Bacon died here about 1879 and is buried at 
Antioch. His wife, Permelia (Wilkinson) Bacon, died a few years later, 
at the age of sixty-nine years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bacon were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: John W., the subject of this sketch; Cora Catherine, the wife of 
Ben Hall, who lives on the Levi Bacon homestead; Clara Jane, the wife 
of W. R. Bartlett, who lives on the first farm of Levi Bacon ; Georgia E., 
Levi and Flora AUce, all three of whom died in infancy. 

John W. Bacon was educated at Woodland School, and, with the 
exception of four years, has lived in Bthany and this township all of 
his life. Mr. Bacon ovms 440 acres of land, 100 acres in section 34 ; sixty 
acres in section 29, and the remainder in section 33. He does general 
farming and stock raising and has met with merited success. Mr. Bacon 
also has a modem residence in town. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 531 

John W. Bacon was married November 4, 1903, to Josie Howe, a 
daughter of J. C. and Emma (Sutton) Howe of Bethany. Mrs. Emma 
Howe was a daughter of Captain Sutton, a pioneer of Cypress Township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Howe were the parents of the following children: Lizzie, 
the wife of H. K. EUis of Baca County, Colorado; Mrs. Bacon; Myrtle, 
the wife of E. P. Reed of Nevada, Missouri ; Blanche, the wife of Warren 
Davis of New Hampton; James H. of Los Animas, Colorado; Ruth, of 
Kansas City, Missouri ; Doris, a teacher at Blythedale, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have four children : Mary Frances, now a student 
of Bethany High School; Ruth Elizabeth, Clara Kathryn and Henry 
Creighton. 

Mr. Bacon is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Bethany, the 
Woodmen of the World and the Yeoman lodges. 

S. S. Bacon of Bethany, Missouri, is an uncle of J. W. Bacon, and 
was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted for service from Har- 
rison County. 

The paternal great grandfather of J. W. Bacon started to California 
from this county in 1849 and, while on the way, when crossing the desert, 
was poisoned by drinking impure water. They had been out of water 
for several days previous to finding water of any kind. 

Solomon Wilkinson, the great grandfather of John W. Bacon, was 
a drummer in the War of 1812, and was a pioneer of Cypress Township, 
and died here. His great grandson, Levi C. Wilkinson of Bethany, was 
in the World War, with the 35th Division in France, and a sketch of 
him appears in this volume. 

The Bacon family stand high in this county, and are all well respected 
citizens. 



J. R. S. Utterback, a highly respected and leading farmer of Cypress 
Township, was bom in Putnam County, Indiana, February 8, 1873, the 
son of John N. and Rachel Ellen Utterback. John Utterback died in 
June, 1920, in Brimson, Missouri, where he had lived for twenty-five 
years, and his wife died in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1873. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Utterback were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: John William B. of Brimson, Missouri; and J. R. S., the subject 
of this sketch. 

J. R. S. Utterback was educated in the public and high schools of 
Hume and Newman, Illinois, and after finishing his education, he en- 



532 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

gaged in farming in Illinois, prior to coming to Harrison County, in 1896, 
where he rented land for about ten years, and finally bought eighty acres 
of land, and gradually increasing his acreage, until at the present tim'e, 
he owns 448 acres in Cypress Township, about 200 acres of which is in 
Big Creek bottom and second bottom, all in Cypress Township, with the 
exception of forty acres in Bethany Township. The entire farm is under 
cultivation, and is as fine a farm as the county affords. 

Mr. Utterback was married in 1893 to Amanda C. Nees, of Edgar 
County, Illinois. She is a native of Indiana and a daughter of George 
and Mary Nees, both deceased. Mrs. Utterback was reared and educated 
in Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Utterback are the parents of the following children: 
Ruth, the wife of H. McQuerry of Cypress Township; Mabel, the wife of 
Walker Flint of Cypress Township; John Shelton and William Morton 
and James Wilbur, all at home. 

Mr. Utterback is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and has filled the office of Democratic committeeman of Cypress Township 
for several years, and is clerk of School District Number 125. 



Nathan T. Slatten, a successful farmer and stockman of Cypress 
Township, was born August 25, 1888, in Sherman Township, the son of 
James L. and Rozetta (Bartlett) Slatten. 

James L. Slatten was born March 24, 1860, in Sherman Township, 
where he now lives. His wife died October 4, 1918, and is buried in 
Bethany, Missouri. Tyre Slatten, grandfather of Nathan Slatten. was 
one of the earliest settlers of Sherman Township, where he entered land 
now owned by James Slatten. He died in 1912 at the age of eighty-eight 
years. Nathan Bartlett, maternal grandfather of Nathan Slatten, lives 
in Ridgeway, Missouri. 

The children of James L. and Rozetta Slatten are: Lizzie, the wife 
of Bert Guyman of Bethany, Missouri; Essie, the wife of Cliff Selby of 
Sherman Township; Nathan T., the subject of this sketch; Edith, the 
wife of Forest White of Independence, Kansas ; Harlan and Amon of Sher- 
man Township; and Elva, who lives on the home place. 

Nathan T. Slatten was educated in the public schools of Sherman 
Township, and in Bethany, Missouri. He farmed in Sherman Township 
until 1913, when he moved to the W. H. Leazenby farm, where he now 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 533 

lives. Mr. Slatten farms 200 acres here, nearly all bottom land and he 
also feeds stock, being quite successful. 

August 30, 1911, Nathan T. Slatten was married to Bertha May 
Leazenby, a daughter of W. H. and Rhoda May (Neff) Leazenby of Mount 
Mariah, Missouri. W. H. Leazenby was bom in Trail Creek Township 
January 13, 1861, and his wife was born in Fox Creek Township. His 
father was one of the pioneer settlers of Yankee Ridge. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Leazenby were the parents of the following 
children: Albert B., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Charles 
E. of Mount Mariah, Missouri ; Eugene of Madison Township ; Mrs. Slat- 
ten; J. Harlan of Ridgeway, Missouri; Robert H., who lives at home; 
Ruth A., the wife of Jack Dale of Bethany, Missouri; and Mary Lucille, 
who died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Slatten have two children: Albert Lewis and 
William Nathan. 

The Slatten family are well known and among the substantial citizens 
of Harrison County. 



Ira Omar Thompson, a well known citizen of Cypress Township, was 
born in this township, November 9, 1879, the son of William A. and Mary 
E. (Keller) Thompson. William Thompson was born in Jackson County, 
Ohio, and died in CjT)ress Township, July 31, 1902, and is buried in Pleasant 
Ridge Cemetery. His wife was also a native of Jackson County, Ohio, 
and was born April 6, 1853. She now lives in Bethany, Missouri. In 1872, 
William Thompson left Ohio and settled in this township, where he engaged 
in stock raising and farming. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: William Ora, who died in infancy; Ira Omar, of this sketch; Etta 
Maude, the wife of C. J. Sutton, on the home place ; Essie May, the wife 
of Roscolia M. Slaughter of Daviess County, Missouri ; Minnie E., the wife 
of James F. Caraway, of Gentry County, Missouri; and Milton Arthur of 
Cypress Township, who married Elsie V. Claycomb. 

Ira Omar Thompson was educated in the public schools of this town- 
ship and has followed farming and run a sawmill and thresher since finish- 
ing his education. He farms twenty acres of land, and besides his numer- 
ous duties, has found time to serve the township in the capacity of town- 
ship collector, having filled this position for seven years. Mr. Thompson 
has operated a thresher for twenty-eight consecutive seasons and ovoied 



534 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a rig for twenty -two years. He has his second J. I. Case thresher and 
Eclipse engine, and when not operating this machine runs a sawmill. 

July 2, 1899, Mr. Thompson was married to Lizzie Harmon, who was 
born November 12, 1878 and died September 12, 1913 and is buried at 
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. They were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Nellie, the wife of Harvey Yost of Daviess County, Missouri; Wil- 
liam 0., Beatrice and Bertha I., all at home; and Mettie, deceased. 

Mr. Thompson was married the second time February 14, 1914 to 
Nellie E. Kirk, a daughter of Henry and Ella (Copeland) Kirk. Mr. Kirk 
lives in Pattonsburg, Missouri, and his wife died January 13, 1907. Mr. 
and Mrs. Thompson have two children: Dorothy Lee and Milton I. 

Mr. Thompson's grandfather, John Thompson, was born in North- 
umberland County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1806 and died June 26, 1879, in 
Madison County, Ohio, and is buried at Georgesville Cemetery. His wife, 
who was Eliza Joyce of Jackson County, Ohio, was born in 1854 and died 
at the age of twenty-nine years and is buried in Union cemetery at Liberty 
Hall, Jackson County, Ohio. 

Hugh Thompson, a cousin of William A. Thompson, was a veteran of 
the Civil War and at battle of Chickamauga he was wounded and for eight 
years he did not regain consciousness, until February, 1871. He was a 
wanderer all that time with the past obliterated from his mind and a fall 
in Illinois relieved the pressure from his brain which was caused by a 
bullet, and his past then gradually returned to him, but it was not until 
1887 that he established his identity through the G. A. R. Post in Meade 
County, Kansas. 

Fourteen of the Thompson family have served in the wars of this 
country as soldiers as shown by the history of the Thompson family, 
which was printed in 1911 and this does not include those who were in the 
World War. 

Mr. Thompson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Coffey, Missouri, Encampment at Bethany and of the Modern Wood- 
men of America at Bridgeport, Missouri. 



Garland A. Miller, a successful farmer of Adams Towns/iip, and 
proprietor of Hickory Grove Farm, was born in Daviess County, Mis- 
souri, June 13, 1863, the son of Jacob E. and Elizabeth (Miller) Miller, 
both of whom died in Cypress Township, the former is buried at Bethany 
and the latter at Pleasant Ridge. 



HISTORY OF IIARKISON COUNTY 535 

Jacob E. Miller was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting from Beth- 
any, Missouri, with Company E of Missouri Infantry, and serving four 
and one-half years. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh and 
was in prison for several weeks. After the war, he settled in Cypress 
Township and lived here until his death. Mr. and Mi's. Jacob E. Miller 
were the parents of the following children: R. H., of southern Missouri; 
Garland, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Martha Salmon, deceased ; Mrs. 
Mary Mooney, of Nebraska; and Charlie, deceased. 

Garland Miller was educated in the schools of Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, and has made his own way in the world since he was thirteen years 
of age, at which time, he began working for his uncle, James Mitchen, 
for $13.00 per month. He worked by the month for several years before 
he bought his present fann in 1895, which consists of 140 acres. Mr. 
Miller has a fine farm, which he has extensively improved himself. He 
has a fine residence, barn, two poultry houses and other buildings. He 
raises pure bred Rhode Island chickens, black Poland-China hogs, also 
raises cattle and Shropshire sheep. His farm is well watered with three 
wells and a pond. This farm is situated six and one-half miles northeast 
of Coffey and four and one-half miles southwest of Blue Ridge. 

Mr. Miller was married March 30, 1889, to Arminta Courter, a daugh- 
ter of D. C. and Chloe Courter, pioneers of Cypress Township, who settled 
here in 1844. D. C. Courter was a native of Ohio and his wife a native 
of Virginia. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born the following children: Altha 
J., the wife of E. J. Parette, who live on the home place, and who have 
three children, Grace Juanita, Fay Leone and Roberta Maxine ; Cleo Pearly 
the wife of Verne A. Boyles of South Dakota, and who have two children. 
Garland and Leon, and a daughter Pearl Arline, deceased; Kenneth C, a 
graduate of Bethany High School of class 1918 and who is a member of 
the class 1922, Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and who 
was in the students' army training corps at the Northwestern University 
for three months in 1918 and 1919, discontinuing when the armistice 
was signed; Ethel, who died at the age of seventeen years, who was a 
student at Bethany High School at the time of her death ; and three 
children who are deceased. 

Mr. Miller has been in favor of good schools all of his life and is a 
progressive citizen. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows at Coffey, Missouri. He is a stockholder of the Bank of Coffey, 
Missouri. 



53G HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

M. F. Oxford, well known business man and prominent attorney of 
Cainsville, was born on a farm two miles north of Bethany, November 
10, 1848, the son of Jacob B. and Mary (McCany) Oxford, who were the 
pai'ents of nine children. 

Jacob B. Oxford was born in Buncum County, North Carolina, the 
son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rogers) Oxford who moved to Kentucky in 
early days and came to Grundy County, Missouri about 1840. They reared 
a large family before coming to Daviess County and died on their home 
place in that county. Their son, Jacob B., was a farmer and came to 
HaiTison County in 1845 where he engaged in farming. He died near 
Gallatin while on a visit in 1882, at the age of sixty-seven. His first 
wife was Mary Davidson and they had one child, a son, J. D. Oxford, who 
was a minister in the Christian Church in Harrison County for more than 
forty years. Jacob B. Oxford was married the second time to Mary Mc- 
Cany, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Andrew and Miss (Collins) 
McCany, both natives of Virginia who came to Daviess County, Missouri 
in pioneer days and suffered the hardships and privations of those early 
times. They were driven from their home during the Mormon War and 
the house was burned. Mrs. Oxford was a descendant of Terrance Mc- 
Cany who was a soldier in the American Revolution and the grandfather 
of Andrew McCany. Mrs. Oxford died in 1879 at the age of sixty-three. 
Jacob B. Orford was a Democrat in politics and at one time served as 
county assessor. He was a man with very strong and decided opinions 
in both politics and religion and had a strong faculty for making friends. 

M. F. Oxford was reared on a farm and attended the district school 
until he was grown when he went to a select school at Cainsville conducted 
by Mr. ShaefTer. Mr. Oxford then taught school in Harrison and Mercer 
counties for four years and in 1872 he went into the grocery business at 
Cainsville with S. D. Rardin. After two years Mr. Oxford sold his interest 
in the business to his partner and then in company with C. M. Scott, 
James Moss, Sr., and H. T. Rogers he went to California with a view to 
locating in that state. None of the party was pleased with the country 
so they returned to Cainsville and Mr. Oxford, in partnership with his 
cousin, R. L. Oxford, bought the Moss and Hagan general merchandise 
stock. The two partners were brothers-in-law and the firm was known 
as the Oxford Brothers. In the fall of 1883, M. F. Oxford bought his 
partner's interest and conducted the store alone until 1900, when he 
took his son, 0. H., in as a partner. This firm continued in business until 
1915 when Mr. Oxford closed out his interest to his son and began the 




M. F. OXFORD 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 537 

practice of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1903, having studied law 
through text books. He has been a successful attorney in general prac- 
tice and has been the attorney for the Cainsville Bank for twelve years. 
He was one of the men who helped organize the bank and has been on 
the official board for practically all the time since the bank started busi- 
ness. Mr. Oxford owns three farms which he manages efficiently, con- 
ducting the work on the 500 acres while attending to his other varied 
duties. 

M. F. Oxford was married December 25, 1869 to Sarah Jane Cham- 
bers who was born on a farm near Cainsville in Mercer County, February 
5, 1851, the daughter of Isiah and Miria (Kennedy) Chambers, both 
natives of Indiana and early settlers of Mercer County. To the union of 
M. T. and Sarah Jane (Chambers) Oxford the following children were 
born: Nora, deceased; Cora, now the wife of William J. Burrows, son of 
Congressman Burrows, and living on the old Burrows home place in Mer- 
cer County; Gertrude, married to L. B. Gillihan, a successful attorney 
at Gallitan; Oscar H., secretary of a land agency at Des Moines, Iowa; 
and Maude, married to 0. L. Fitterer, a banker and grocer in partnership 
with his brother at Gallitan. Mr. and Mrs. Oxford have also five grand- 
children: Ruth, Bonnie and William 0. Burrows; Lewis Oxford and 
Kathelyn Gillihan. 

Mr. Oxford is a Democrat in politics. He was a candidate for repre- 
sentative of the county in 1886, but was defeated. He has been an active 
member of the Baptist Church since he was eleven years old. He has 
been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1872 and 
in all those years has never drawn money from the lodge except for one 
thirty days illness when he was in a hospital, and his standing in the 
lodge has never been questioned. 

Mr. Oxford is one of the interesting men of his community who by 
inheritance and training is an energetic, capable and high minded citizen. 



P. C. Puis, a successful farmer and stockman of Adams Township, 
was born in Knox County, Missouri, July 16, 1880, the son of J. A. and 
Margaret (Snooks) Puis. J. A. Puis lives in Harrison County, Missouri, 
and is seventy-six years of age, and his wife, who was born in Knox 
County, died in Scotland, Missouri, in 1885 and is buried in Knox County. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Puis were the parents of the following children: 
Theodosia, the wife of Joseph Matlick of Scotland County; Orena, the 



538 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

wife of Thomas Cunning of Scotland County, Missouri; Mabie, the wife 
of Charles Wagner of Sherman Township; Cora, the wife of John 
Nighthait of Cypress Township ; Perry of Eaglesville, Missouri ; Pierce of 
Lewiston, Idaho; Everett of Adams Township and P. C. Puis. 

P. C. Pule was educated in the Scotland and Harrison County public 
schools and came to Harrison County when twelve years of age with his 
parents, who settled in Adams Township. He was reared on his father's 
farm, and, after finishing school, rented land for a few years, and bought 
his first farm of 160 acres twelve years ago, in Adams Township. He 
sold it and bought his present farm of 176 acres, forty acres in Cypress 
and the remainder in Adams Township. This was formerly the Clint 
Potter farm. The place has fair improvements, and the entire farm is 
under cultivation. Mr. Puis also rents his father's farm of eighty acres 
and does general farming and stock raising. 

Mr. Puis was married September 7, 1900, to Pearl E. Nighthait of 
Sherman Township, a native of this township, and daughter of Philip and 
Elizabeth Nighthait. Philip Nighthait is deceased and is wife lives in 
Sherman Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Puis have four children: Vesta and Vera, who are in 
their second year at Bethany High School; Gerald La Verne and Gerard 
Pershing. 

Mr. Puis is a progressive farmer and also a public spirited citizen. 
He and his family are among the leading citizens of the county. 



George Albert Fash, a successful farmer of Cypress Township, was 
born in Logan County, Ohio, November 13, 1849, the son of Richard and 
Hannah (Lease) Pash, both of whom died in Logan County, Ohio. Henry 
Pash, the father of Richard Pash, was killed in the War of 1812. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pash were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Colbert Fenton, who died in 1919 at the age of eighty years; 
Nancy Ann, deceased ; John Richard of Logan County, Ohio ; William of 
Muncie, Indiana; George A., of this sketch; and Mead, a tinner of Logan 
County, Ohio. 

George Albert Pash was educated in the public schools of Logan 
County, Ohio, and came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1887, and located 
on the farm where he now lives. His father-in-law, Oliver Raymond, 
had purchased this place about 1858, and lived here a short time, then 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 539 

returned to Ohio, and died in Mespotamia, Sheridan County, Ohio, Novem- 
ber, 1889. He was born in New York, in 1826, and his wife, Savilla 
Koplin, was born near Akron, Ohio, in 1832, and died at the home of 
George A. Pash in 1896, and is buried in Coffey Cemetery. Mrs. George 
Pash is the only one Uving of the Raymond family, her sister, Mrs. Lucia 
Barr, having died in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Mr. and Mrs. George Pash moved to their present home in 1887 and 
have resided here since that time. The farm, which consists of 160 acres, 
is situated three miles from Coffey, Missouri. Mr. Pash does general 
farming, and is very successful. Two acres of the farm are in orchard. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pash were married April 15, 1880, and they had the following 
children: Bertha, who died at the age of thirteen years; Harvey R., of 
Daviess County, who married Mamie Fields; Ernest of Julesburg, Colo- 
rado, who married Inez Magee ; Albert B. of Daviess County, who married 
Maud Nellie Adams ; Ola Grace, who died when six years of age ; Sherman 
T. of Bridgeport, who married Ava Strong; Lucia, wife of Fred Denham, 
of Gridley, Kansas; Richard Homer of Adams Township, who married 
Ova Foaster; Meade M. of Hancock, Iowa; Orval M. and Iva H., both at 
home; and Morris L., who lives in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Pash have twenty- 
nine living grandchildren and three deceased. 

Homer Pash was in United States service at Camp Dodge, Iowa, 
during the World War, and was mustered out December, 1918. Meade M. 
Pash enlisted in the United States Army August, 1918, and was sent to 
Camp Pike, Arkansas, where he remained for six weeks, and was overseas 
for six months with Company L of the 12th Battalion. Upon his return 
from France, he was appointed assessor of Butler Township. 



Ray Endicott, an enterprising young man of Adams Township, was 
born near Bolton, east of Oilman, Missouri, February 7, 1891, the son 
of H. E. and Ottie (McLey) Endicott. Mrs. Ottie Endicott died near 
Bolton, Missouri, and her husband lives in Mitchell County, Kansas. Ray 
Endicott is their only child, but, by a former marriage of H. E. Endicott, 
he has three children: George, Charles and William, all of Mitchell 
County, Kansas. 

Ray Endicott was educated in the public schools in Missouri and 
Nebraska, and, during the World War, attended the Rhae Auto School of 
Kansas City, Missouri, and, after finishing a course there, enlisted at 
Camp Dodge in the Mechanics Division of the United States Army Corps, 



540 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and was retained there until the war closed. His division was due to go 
overseas on the 9th of November, but, owing to the armistice being signed, 
he was mustei'ed out at Bethany, Missouri. 

Ray Endicott was married July 9, 1917, to Nora Justice, a daughter 
of T. A. Justice and wife of Cypress Township, who now live in this 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Endicott have two children: Harold and Reva 
Maxine. 

For the past two years, Mr. Endicott has been with the Blue Ridge 
Garage, and is a very efficient mechanic. He is well and favorably known 
throughout the town. 

Arthur Justice, a brother of Mrs. Endicott, was in the United States 
Navy for eighteen months, having enlisted from Harrison County. He 
was a gun pointer on the United States Battleship Oregon in the European 
waters. He married Georgia Richardson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
E. F. Richardson, and they are now on a farm in CjTiress Township. 



Heni-y G. Sutton, a successful contractor of Bethany, Missouri, was 
born in Daviess County, Missouri, August 5, 1870, the son of John Harvey 
and Ellen F. (Hubbard) Sutton. 

John Harvey Sutton was born November 26, 1846 in Rush County, 
Indiana, the son of Jacob and Nancy A. (Durgin) Sutton. George Sutton, 
the paternal grandfather of John H. Sutton, spent his life as a farmer 
in Preble County, Ohio, and died there about the year 1860, when past 
seventy years of age. During the War of 1812, he saw service under 
General Hull. He and his wife, Hannah Sutton, were the parents of the 
following children: John, a carpenter in Franklin County, Indiana, and 
who taught this trade to Jacob Sutton ; Aaron, who died in Daviess County, 
Missouri, in 1867; Samuel, a fanner, who died in Harrison County in 
1909; Noah, who died in Knox County, Indiana; Simeon, who died in 
Bethany, Missouri, in 1910; Harvey Jacob, who died in 1867; Benjamin, 
who died in Harrison County in 1902 ; Sarah, the wife of Williamson Pugh, 
who died in Indiana; Letitia, the wife of William Dickson, of Wichita, 
Kansas; Julia Orson Guard, who died in 1914. Harvey Sutton lived near 
Rutland, Ilhnois ; Simeon Harvey was a captain of volunteers in Missouri 
during the Civil War and was captured by the enemy at the Battle of 
Glasgow; and Benjamin Sutton was with General Sherman's army on its 
famous march to the sea. He was wounded at the Battle of Atlanta. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 541 

Jacob Sutton, the father of John Harvey Sutton, was born in Preble 
County, Ohio, May 2, 1823, and during his boyhood, acquired a fair edu- 
ation, and learned the trade of carpenter with his eldest brother. He 
moved to Indiana in 1844 and engaged in this work there for several 
years when he located in Missouri. Among his works of construction 
were the Hubbard and Westfieling residences in Harrison County, two 
well known houses in days before the Civil War. Jacob Sutton entered 
the Union Army, during the war, and enlisted with Merrill's Horse, Second 
Missouri Cavalry, Company F. His regiment served in Missouri and 
Arkansas and he participated in the battles of Wilson Creek, Kirkville 
and Little Rock, and in eastern Tennessee and Alabama, he did scout 
duty, taking part in minor engagements. He died in October, 1867, on 
his farm in Harrison County, Missouri. He was a Republican and cast 
his first vote for John C. Fremont. He was a member of the Christian 
Church and served the Coffey congregation as elder. 

Jacob Sutton married Nancy A. Durgin in 1846, a daughter of Ahira 
G. Durgin of Daviess County, Missouri. Ahira Durgin was a farmer, 
millwright and carpenter and was born in Rutland, Vermont, October 12, 
1804, and died November, 1864. He came to Missouri in 1841 from Deca- 
tur County, Indiana, and did much work as millwright in Daviess County. 
He was captain of Militia, Union troops, during the Civil War. Captain 
Durgin was a justice of the peace, a member of several commissions in 
laying out state roads, and a member of the Christian Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sutton were the parents of the following children : 
John Harvey, father of Henry G.; Sarah E., who died; Ahira G., a fruit 
farmer of Branson, Missouri; Letitia A., who married William Bolin of 
Spencer, South Dakota; Mary, who died in childhood; Frances Caroline 
Reichel, whose husband is a dairyman in Puget Sound, Washington. 

John Harvey Sutton was educated in the rural schools, Bethany Col- 
legiate Institute and Old Chillicothe Seminary. He taught school in Da- 
viess and Harrison counties and eventually learned the carpenter trade 
under the tutelage of his father, and entered the contracting business at 
Jameson, Missouri, where he built a school house and many other build- 
ings. He lived there for fifteen years and then went to Pratt, Kansas, 
and, while there, erected some of the best buildings of the town. He came 
to Bethany, Missouri, in 1889 and continued to work here until his death 
in 1920. The Methodist, Christian and Baptist churches were built by 
him. From 1898 to 1903, he built, among other buildings, the court house 
and high school at Grant City Missouri, and from 1911 to 1913, he 



542 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

erected the Pythian Home at Springfield, two churches at Pattonsburg 
and the High School and Peoples Exchange Bank at Jamesport, Missouri. 
He was appointed assessor of Harrison County by Governor Folk in 1906, 
and was a delegate to the Missouri State convention in 1910. He served for 
eight years in the Bethany council, and was on the water works and 
finance committee during the construction of the water works. 

John Harvey Sutton was married May 13, 1868, to Ellen F. Hub- 
bard, a daughter of Captain Elijah Hubbard, and they are the pai-ents of 
the following children: Leonard H., who died at Liberal, Kansas, July, 
1913; Henry G., the subject of this sketch; Fred K. of Liberal, Kansas; 
Ralph H. of Little Rock, Arkansas; Sadie, the wife of S. B. Stockwell; 
Nell K., former county superintendent of schools of Harrison County ; 
John H., Jr., contractor at Pattonsburg, Missouri ; and Herbert D. of 
Bethany, Missouri. 

Henry G. Sutton was married in 1891 to Gertrude H. Thomas, who 
died in October, 1920. She was a daughter of Lon and Mary J. Thomas, 
both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were the parents of a daughter. Fay, 
the wife of Horace W. Dunn of Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. Sutton has been contracting for the past thirty years and was 
in partnership with his father until about fifteen years ago. He has 
constructed some of the best buildings in this city, among which are 
the Knights of Pythias Hall and the buildings of the Harrison County 
Fair Grounds. Mr. Sutton has also done sixty per cent of the paving in 
the City of Bethany. He now has the contract for the bridge work on 
the Jefferson Highway, which passes through this county. Among other 
buildings Mr. Sutton has erected are: The Barlow building. Deal build- 
ing, Edson garage. Bridges, Webb, Jones, Walter Lingle, and Frank Cuddy 
residences, and a hundred others. 

Mr. Sutton is a member of the Christian Church and the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows Lodge. He is well known in Bethany and HaiTison 
County, and is a substantial and highly respected citizen. 



W. H. Courier, proprietor of Fairview Stock Farm, is one of the suc- 
cessful and enter]3rising farmers and stockmen of Harrison County. He 
was born in Cypress Township, March 4, 1853, two and one-fourth miles 
west of where he now resides, in Adams Township, the son of D. C. and 
Chloey Jane (Miller) Courter. The latter was born in Jackson County, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 543 

Ohio, a daughter of Adam Miller and wife, pioneers of Cypress Township. 
D. C. Courter, Sr., was a stockman and farmer and owned 500 acres of 
land at the time of his death, in 1897. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Clinton Courter were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: James I., who died in 1910 and who married Martha Jane 
Ballard ; W. H., the subject of this sketch ; J. M., who married Jennie 
Rice, and who died in 1919; Garland, who died in 1910; Dewitt C, Jr., of 
Coffey, Missouri; George, a farmer of Cypress Township, who married 
Pemelia Britcher; Minta, the wife of G. A. Miller, a sketch of whom 
appears in this book; Delcina, the wife of L. B. Binney of Gallatin, Mis- 
souri ; and Samuel, deceased, who married Lottie McClure. 

W. H. Courter was educated in the public schools of Pleasant Ridge 
and Reynolds disti'icts, and lived with his parents until he was thirty- 
three years of age. He was married November 22, 1886, to Mary Fannie 
Iddings of Daviess County, a daughter of Lafayette W. and N. E. Iddings, 
both deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Courter are the parents of the following children: 
Ezra L., of Daviess County, Missouri; Elinor, who died at the age of 
thirteen years; Iva, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Aura Everly, of 
Daviess County; Nova H., who lives at home; Norval, on the home place, 
who married Ethel Gardner; Judson C. and Orris D. both at home. 

Ezra L. Courter enlisted in the United States Army in April, 1918, 
at Bethany, Missouri, as a mechanic. He was transferred to Camp Jack- 
son, South Carolina, and to Alabama, and at Camp McLellan, Alabama, 
he was made top sergeant quite some time before the armistice was 
signed. Nova H. Courter enlisted at Bethany, Missouri, and was sent 
to Camp Funston, where he was kept with the Medical Corps of the 
28th Field Artillery. He was mustered out January 24, 1919, and is now 
assisting with the farm work on the home place ; he is also left fielder 
for the Bethany base ball team. 

Mr. Courter owns 500 acres of land, all of which, except eighty acres, 
is in Cypress Township. When he first began working for himself, he 
went in debt for his first eighty acres, which he sold later and bought 
195 acres, and gradually added to his farm until he has his present valu- 
able place. He rebuilt his residence, built new barn and fences, and has 
one of the finest farms in Adams Township. Mr. Courter has fed cattle 
and hogs extensively, and his farm is well watered. His farm is well 
improved with good buildings suitable for stock raising. 



544 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Courter has ahvays been a booster for schools and churches and 
is a man of progressive ideas. He is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows at Coffey, Missouri. 



Maj. Randall Wilson, a well known and successful attorney at Beth- 
any, was born May 26, 1889, in Bethany, Missouri, the son of J. C. and 
Alice E. (Turner) Wilson. 

Randall Wilson received his education in the public school of Bethany, 
Wentworth Military Academy from which he graduated in 1907, the Uni- 
versity of Missouri and the Law School of the University of Michigan from 
which he graduated in 1912. He at once began the practice of law in Beth- 
any, associating himself with his father. Judge J. C. Wilson, and continued 
in the practice until June, 1916, when he entered the United States service 
and went with his company to the Mexican border. He had enlisted at 
his home town in Company "G", 4th Infantry (Missouri) N. G. U. S. and 
was elected captain of the company at the date of his enlistment. He re- 
turned home from the Mexican border in March, 1917 and again took up 
the practice of law with his father remaining at his home until August, 
1917. 

When the United States declared war against Germany, he again 
volunteered his services, entering the sen'ice of the United States again 
in August, 1917; he went with his company to Camp Doniphan, Okla- 
homa. In October of that year the Fourth Missouri and the Third Kan- 
sas Infantry were merged into the 139th U. S. Infantry, 35th Division, and 
Randall Wilson was placed in command of Company "G" of that organ- 
ization. 

In April, 1918, he with his organization was ordered overseas and he 
remained in command of this organization until October 6, 1918. During 
his command, this organization participated in the defensive sector of the 
Voges Mountains, the battle of St. Mihiel and the battle of the Argonne 
Forest. Following the battle of the Avgonne Forest, Randall Wilson was, 
by order, made operations officer of his regiment and directed the opera- 
tions of his regiment until November of that year. 

Captain Wilson was promoted to the rank of major on October 29, 
1918 while he was at Verdun, and in November was placed in command of 
the first battalion of his regiment which battalion he commanded until 
January, 1919, when by order of the commanding general of the 35th 




MAJOR RANDALL WILSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 545 

Division, he was transferred to the command of the second battalion of 
the 140th Infantry for the purpose of raising the standard of that bat- 
talion. Having accomplished his mission, in March, 1919, he was re- 
turned to the command of the first battalion of the 139th Infantry. In 
April, 1919, he was again transferred and was placed in command of the 
114th Military Police Battalion with headquarters at Lyons, France, the 
second largest city in France. He was ordered home in June and mus- 
tered out of service at Camp Dix, New Jersey, July 8, 1919. 

For his valor and devotion to duty in the battle of the Argonne, Major 
Wilson was cited by Gen. John J. Pershing, being awarded the Silver Star 
citation, the highest award of the General Commander of the American 
Expeditionary Forces ; General Traub, commanding the 35th Division, and 
by his regimental commander. 

Major Wilson has been engaged in the practice of law in partnership 
with his father since his return from the World War. In April, 1920, he 
was appointed city attorney and is serving the city in that capacity at 
the time of the writing of this sketch. His training in law added to the 
broad experience which he obtained by his service in the World War have 
helped to make him one of the valuable and progressive citizens of his 
native town. Major Wilson is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of the Elks, one of the first lodges in the United States to 
give and provide a hospital for soldiers of the World War. He is one of 
the founders of the "Wilson-Axline Post", No. 216, Department of Mis- 
souri, American Legion. 

Major Wilson married November 24, 1915 to Monte L. Ballard, a 
daughter of Judge John R. and Lola (Barlow) Ballard, of Bethany. Major 
and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Pershing, born January 7, 1918. 



Homer RoUen, better known as Homer Hamaker, a prominent and 
successful fanner of Adams Township, was born in Ray County, Missouri, 
April 30, 1874, and was reared by Oliver Hamaker in Harrison County, 
Missouri, three miles south of Blue Ridge, Missouri. His father, Mr. 
Rollen, was a veteran of the Civil War, and died from injuries received 
while in the service. 

When Homer Hamaker was four years of age, he came to Daviess 
County, Missouri, with his uncle, Isaac Odell, who now lives in Excelsior 
Springs, Missouri. Homer Hamaker was educated in the public schools 
(30) 



546 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of this county, and has hved in Adams Township ever since he came here. 
He owns a valuabe farm of 320 acres, three-fourths mile west of Blue Ridge, 
and this is a well improved place, with good residence, tenat house, two 
bams, etc. Mr. Hamaker purchased this farm in July, 1919, and was 
formerly known as the John Oram farm. 

Mr. Hamaker does general farming and stock raising, and is quite 
successful. 

Homer Hamaker was married in 1899 to Osa Oram, a daughter of 
John and Jennie Oram. Mrs. Jennie Oram died in April, 1919, and her hus- 
band now lives in Oilman, Missouri. Mrs. Hamaker was born near Mel- 
boui'ne, Missouri, and received her education there. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Oram were the parents of the following children: 
Mrs. Dora Taggart, deceased ; Mrs. Nancy Cole of Bethany, Missouri ; 
Mrs. Osa Hamaker; and Marian, of Melbourne, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hamaker are the parents of five children : Delbert, 
Willis, Emmett, Dean and Edna Fay. 

Homer Hamaker is well known and highly respected in Adams Town- 
ship, where he and Mrs. Hamaker have many friends and acquaintances. 



Jesse L. Lowe, one of Harrison County's honored veterans of the 
World War, was born in Gentry County, Missouri, October 30, 1887, the 
son of W. N. and Lulu J. (Roberts) Lowe. 

W. N. Lowe was born in Gentry County and his wife in DeKalb 
County. They now live in Oilman City. Their children were: Charlie, 
living in Oilman City ; Curtis, living in Coin, Iowa ; Roy, living in Billings, 
Montana ; Mintie, living in Oilman City ; Lennie, now Mrs. C. E. Davisson, 
of Oilman City; and Jesse L., the subject of this sketch. By a fonner 
marriage of W. N. Lowe, he had a daughter, Mecie, now Mrs. Charles 
Fusson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Jesse L. Lowe was educated in the public schools of Gentry County 
and was a painter by trade prior to entering the World War. He enlisted 
for service in the army, July 2, 1917 at St. Joseph, Missouri. He was 
sent to Nevada, Missouri, for training and remained six weeks ; then went 
to Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill. Oklahoma; from there to Camp Mills, New 
York, April 10, 1918; and overseas on April 25, 1918. He airived in 
Liverpool, England, and from there was sent to Havre, France. He par- 
ticipated in the battles in Vosges Mountains and was wounded there Aug- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 547 

ust 9, 1918, receiving four wounds from a hand grenade, one in the head, 
two in the leg, and two in the body. He was taken to a field hospital in 
Cruth, France, and then to the Base Hospital at Vishie, and finally to 
Savonne, from which place he was sent home on October 15, 1918. He 
landed at New York, October 25, 1918 and remained in the hospital on 
Ellis Island for a week, then was taken to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and 
from there to Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was discharged as ninety per cent 
disabled, February 28, 1919. In June, 1919, he was taken to a hospital 
in St. Joseph for an operation, remaining in the hospital for two weeks. 

Mr. Lowe served in Company M, 139th Infantry, 35th Division and is 
one of the men recently placed by the government on the permanent total 
disability list. He makes his home in Oilman City, Missouri, where he 
is esteemed most highly for his service to the country. 



W. H. Oram, prominent pioneer citizen of Harrison County, Missouri, 
was born in Harrison County five miles north of Oilman City, September 
2, 1849, the son of John Owen and Sophia (Payne) Oram. 

John Owen Oram was born in Maryland. He moved to Ohio in the 
early days and then came to Daviess County, Missouri in 1839. Later he 
traded for the farm upon which W. H. was born and where John Owen 
Oram continued to live until his death in September, 1878. Sophia 
(Payne) Oram was born in Ohio, and was married there. She died at 
the home place one and one-half miles east of Oilman City in 1874. Both 
she and her husband are buried in Mitchell Cemetery, near Melbourne. 
Their children were : Thomas, living in Oilman City ; James, a Civil War 
veteran, now deceased; Elizabeth, later Mrs. Scott and now deceased; 
Rachel, later Mrs. Ward and now deceased; Edward, deceased; W. H., 
the subject of this sketch; John, now living in Oilman City; Sarah, now 
Mrs. Burrell, of Oilman City; Mary, now Mrs. Claybaugh, of Seneca, 
Nebraska; and Charles D., now living in Denver, Colorado. 

W. H. Oram was educated in the rural schools of Harrison County, 
attending the Hagerty school part of the time. He took up the vocation 
of farming, buying land in Daviess and Harrison counties, and then buy- 
ing out the heirs of his parents until he at one time had 1120 acres of 
land. He recently sold 440 acres to his oldest son. Mr. Oram was an 
extensive farmer and stockman and was known throughout the county 
for his enterprise and success. He now has 160 acres of land adjoining 



548 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the townsite of Gilman City. He has lived here since 1915 and has a 
modern home with electricity and water installed. 

W. H. Oram was married in 1872 to Elizabeth Ward, a daughter of 
James F. and Rebecca (Staley) Ward. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ward were 
born in Sangamon County, Illinois. They came to Missouri in 1856, and 
settled two and one-half miles east of Bancroft. Mrs. Ward died in 1870 
and Mr. Ward died in Gilman City, February 20, 1908. They are buried 
in Mitchell Cemetery. To James F. and Rebecca (Staley) Ward the fol- 
lowing children were born : Maiy Jane, later Mrs. Oram, deceased ; Eliza- 
beth, now Mrs. W. H. Oram; J. D., now living in Oklahoma; William, 
Gilman City; Lucretia Oram, Gilman City; Marian F., Gilman City; 
Louisa, now Mrs. Lirley, of Gilman City; Robert, deceased; and Rosa, 
deceased. 

To W. H. and Elizabeth (Ward) Oram the following children were 
born: Sylvester, now living on the home farm in Sugar Creek Township, 
married to Mrs. Lizzie Burrell and has three children, Bertha, Doris and 
William; C. F., a brief sketch of whom appears later; and Rebecca Pearl, 
living in Daviess County, seven miles southeast of Gilman City, married 
to Edmond Leigh, a farmer and stockman. They have four children liv- 
ing; Charles F., Opal, Harry B., and Willena. Their oldest girl, Estella, 
died at the age of sixteen. 

Mr. Oram helped organize the bank at Melbourne and his son, C. F., 
was the first cashier. Both Mr. and Mrs. Oram are stockholders in the 
Citizens Bank of Gilman City which Mr. Oram assisted in organizing. 

The Citizens Bank of Gilman City was organized in 1906 with a 
capital stock of $15,000.00. The first cashier was Ed Case; he was suc- 
ceeded by J. 0. Oliphant, who was succeeded by D. E. Fair. Mr. Fair 
was the cashier until 1912, when the present cashier, C. F. Oram, went 
into office. The present capital stock of the bank is 15,000 with a surplus of 
$25,000.00 and deposits of $110,000.00. The present officers of the bank 
are: M. F. Ward, president; John Brown, vice-president; C. F. Oram, 
cashier; and C. F. Oram, E. L. Moulin, H. V. Hutchinson, G. W. Dowell, 
and G. W. Oram, directors. The bank owns the brick building in which its 
business is conducted. This building was constructed in 1911. 

C. F. Oram, cashier of the Citizens Bank, was born in Daviess County, 
August 27, 1878, the son of the subject of this sketch. He was educated 
in the public schools of Harrison County and followed the vocation of 
farming prior to his acceptance of his present position. He still conducts 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 549 

his fanii of 360 acres, six miles southeast of Gihiian City and does general 
farming and stock raising. He was married to Tressie Shaffer of Daviess 
County, November 4, 1901. She is the daughter of John M. and Susanna 
(Lierley) Shaffer, both of Oilman City, Missouri. C. F. and Tressie 
(Shaffer) Oram have one daughter, Eva Pearl. 

The Oram family has always been prominent in Harrison County 
where the members have stood for high ideals in citizenship and for 
everything that tends toward progress. The community is justly proud 
of the record of the Oram laially. 



Josiah Bogue, a well known and highly respected pioneer settler of 
Harrison County, was born in Fox Creek Township, October 13, 1848, 
the son of Joseph and Hannah (Wiles) Bogue. 

Joseph and Hannah (Wiles) Bogue were married in Indiana and came 
to Missouri in 1837. They stopped in Daviess County, then came to Fox 
Creek Township, Harrison County, where they took up a claim which they 
later sold to Daniel Brown. They then took up land near Bolton, Mis- 
souri, and in 1872, they moved to Cloud County, Kansas. Joseph Bogue 
died in Courtland, Kansas, and is buried in Cloud County, Kansas. His 
wife, who died several years before her husband, is buried in Springer 
Cemetery, Han-ison County, Missouri. 

To Joseph and Hannah (Wiles) Bogue the following children were 
born : Sarah Jane, now Mrs. Anderson Foster of Oilman City ; John, who 
died at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, while serving in the Union army ; 
Margaret, now deceased, who married James Manville and died in Sugar 
Creek Township ; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married William Springer, 
for several years judge of the county court of Harrison County; Josiah, 
the subject of this sketch ; J. Hugh, who died at Jamestown, Cloud County, 
Kansas ; Mary, now the wife of Thomas Frisbie ; Martha, now the wife 
of John Jolly of Kansas ; Jonathan, now living in Manhattan, Kansas ; and 
Jesse, now living in the west. 

Josiah Bogue was educated in the public schools of Harrison County 
and except for two years spent in Grundy County, has lived here all of 
his life. Harrison County has been the scene of many changes during the 
lifetime of Mr. Bogue. He tells of how there were only three families liv- 
ing near his prairie home in the early days. They were the families of 
Lewis Charlton; old Mr. Barker, who lived in a dugout in what is now 



550 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Sherman Township ; and old Mr. Buck, who Hved on the west side of Pole 
Cat Creek near Bethany. When the families needed gi-oceries, the neigh- 
bors all clubbed together and sent an ox team to Brunswick, Missouri, 
taking along for exchange, beeswax, deer meat, deer hides and coon skins 
while they brought back groceries and leather which was made into shoes 
by Hill Lyons who lived about eight miles northeast of the present site 
of Oilman City. The corn raised on the farm was taken to an old horse 
power mill near Eagleville owned by Mr. Taylor. In those days. Fox 
Creek, Adams, and Sherman towiiships were open prairie. Sugar Creek 
and Fox were partly wooded. On all of this wild land were to be found 
wild turkeys and deer. It required from four to six yoke of oxen to 
break the prairie land, and Mr. Bogue often drove the ox teams in this 
work. He says that he was always afraid of the rattle snakes and never 
quite got used to their being so friendly. 

Mr. Bogue was a blacksmith at Bolton, Trenton, and Blue Ridge for 
thirty years and a hotel keeper at Oilman City from 1900 to 1903. For 
the twelve years following, he was with the Haynes Furniture Company, 
since that time has has been living in Oilman City where he has a nice 
home and owns six lots near his residence and four in the south part of 
tovim. He raises chickens, keeps Jersey cows, and looks after his flowers, 
enjoying a well earned leisure. Besides his other business interests, Mr. 
Bogue is a stockholder in the Oilman City Bank. 

Josiah Bogue was married to Nancy Ann Taggart, October 17, 1869. 
She is the daughter of Senator John Taggart and Matilda Ann (Wiley) 
Taggart, both deceased. Mrs. Bogue was born in Indiana, but came to 
Harrison County with her parents in 1860. To Josiah and Nancy Ann 
(Taggart) Bogue the following children were born: Lorenzo, who died 
at the age of four ; John, who died in infancy ; and Levora Etta, now the 
wife of N. B. Williams, the cashier of the Oilman City Bank. 

Mr. Bogue has been called several times to serve his community as an 
officer. He was constable of Fox Creek Township for fourteen years ; and 
was elected coroner of Harrison County about 1883. He served one term 
and because of the removal of the sheriff, Mr. Bogue filled that office. He 
was well fitted for this duty as he had seized two years as deputy sheriff 
under Thomas Barker. Mr. Bogue also served two years as justice of 
the peace in Adams Township and is now serving his third term as justice 
of the peace and member of the township board in Sugar Creek Township. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 551 

He is the president of the board. Since moving to Gilman City Mr. Bogiie 
has served as mayor for three successive terms. 

The estimation in which Mr. Bogue is held by his fellow citizens is 
shown by the number of times they have summoned him to fill offices. 
He is known as a man who is interested in all civic welfare and he is 
justly popular in his community. 



James L. Broyles, well known farmer, living near Gilman City, Adams 
Township, was born in Macon County, Missouri, January 27, 1867, the 
son of Simeon and Ellen (McDavitt) Broyles, both now deecased. 

Simeon Broyles was born in Kentucky and was reared in Macon 
County, Missouri. He came to Harrison County and settled in Adams 
Township in 1876. He farmed here until 1913 when he moved to Gilman 
City where he lived until his death in 1920 at the age of seventy-eight. 
His wife, Ellen (McDavitt) Broyles, was born in Randolph County, Mis- 
souri. She died in 1913 at the age of seventy-five. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Broyles are buried in Gilman City Cemetery. 

The children of Simeon and Ellen (McDavitt) Broyles were: Lela, 
who was married to H. M. Gutshall and who died in the fall of 1909, and 
James L., the subject of this sketch. 

James L. Broyles was educated in the public schools of Harrison 
County. He has lived in Adams Township since 1876. He has a farm 
of 600 acres located two and one-half miles west of Gilman City. His farm 
is well improved and shows the good effect of his progressive methods. 
On the farm he has a nice residence, two tenant houses, two barns, one 
built in 1889 and one in 1909, a good set of farm implements, a good well 
and ponds for the stock. Mr. Broyles keeps everything in good repair and 
the farm has a well kept and prosperous appearance. 

James L. Broyles was married to Lillie A. Gutshall, February 3, 1887. 
Mrs. Broyles is a daughter of Jacob and Kittie A. Gutshall. Jacob Guts- 
hall was married near Cadiz, Ohio and came to Missouri, locating in Har- 
rison County in the early sixties. He died on his farm in Adams Town- 
ship in 1881 and his wife died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Broyles, 
in 1900. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gutshall are buried in Union Grove Cemetery. 

To Jacob and Kittie A. Gutshall the following children were born: 
John C, now deceased; H. M. Gutshall now living near Blue Ridge, Mis- 



552 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

souri; Willie Gutshall now deceased and Gideon Gutshall now deceased; 
Lillie A., the wife of James L. Broyles. 

James L. Broyles and Lillie A. (Gutshall) Broyles had one son, Basil 
C., who died April 4, 1912, at the age of twenty-four. He was mamed 
to Roberta Wilson and left one daughter, Mildred Lucille. His widow 
lives in Moberly, Missouri. Basil C. Broyles was a hardware merchant in 
Gilman City at the time of his death. He was a member of the Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons and was a bright and promising young man. 

James L. Broyles is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons at Gilman City and is connected with the Gilman City Bank. He 
is known as an upright and honorable citizen in Harrison County. 



Dockery Wilson, a well known member of the Harrison County bar 
of the younger generation, is a native son of Harrison County and a mem- 
ber of one of the prominent families of this section of the state. He is a 
son of James C. and Alice (Turner) Wilson, the former a native of Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and the latter was bom in Bethany, Harrison County and whose 
parents were early settlers here. 

The Wilson family is of unusual interest from a number of stand- 
points. James C. Wilson, the father, of whom further mention is made 
elsewhere in this volume, is one of the leading lawyers of this section of 
the state, and his three living sons. Garland, Major Randall and Dockery, 
of this review, are also all attorneys. Captain Carlisle "Chuck" who died 
in France from wounds received in the battle of Argonne Forest was also 
an attorney. 

Dockery Wilson served in the World War as a first lieutenant of in- 
fantry and his two brothers, Randall and Carlisle, biographical sketches 
of whom appear in this volume also served as commissioned officers in the 
World War, the former attaining the rank of major and the latter was 
commissioned captain. 

Dockery Wilson was reared in Harrison County and received his pre- 
liminary education in the public schools of Bethany, Missouri. After com- 
pleting his university course and reading law he was admitted to the 
Supreme Court of Missouri. While Mr. Wilson is identified with the prac- 
tice of law to a certain extent, at the present time he is interested in other 
enterprises to such an extent that little of his time is now devoted to the 




FIRST LIEUT. DOCKERY WILSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 553 

law. He is public spirited and progressive and his courteous manner, 
ability and loyalty have made him many friends. 

For many years the Wilson family has been prominent in north- 
eastern Missouri. Dockery Wilson, his father and his brothers have been 
identified with progressive movements and have been strong factors in 
the growth of their section of the state. 



William Walden, a prominent citizen of Melbourne, and president of 
the Bank of Melbourne for the past four years, was born in Laurel County, 
Kentucky, September 26, 1857, the son of John and Elizabeth Walden, 
who were married in Kentucky and came to Grundy County, Missouri, in 
1872, and improved a farm there. William Walden lived there until 
twenty-five years of age. 

John Walden died at the age of seventy-seven years and his wife 
when seventy-nine years of age and they are buried in Coon Creek Church 
Cemetery. John Walden was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting with 
the Union army from Kentucky and serving two years. Mr. and Mrs. 
John Walden were the parents of the following children : William ; Arm- 
ilda, the wife of Martin Duncan, of Nodaway County, Missouri; J. M., a 
retired farmer of Grundy County, Missouri ; Morgan, B. H. and R. S., all 
on the home place. 

William Walden was educated in the public schools of Grundy County. 
Thirty-six years ago, he moved to his present home one-fourth mile east 
of Melbourne. This place consists of 170 acres and is well improved, with 
good buildings, fences, two barns, etc. Mr. Walden engages in general 
farming and stock raising and is very successful. 

In 1883, Mr. Walden was married to Saphrona A. Cole, a daughter of 
Solomon and May Brown Cole. Solomon Cole died about 1912 at the age 
of eighty years. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Mrs. Elizabeth Turley, of Sugar Creek Township; Mrs. Emma 
VanDyke, of Kansas ; Mrs. Lena Moore of Grundy County, Missouri ; Mrs. 
Walden; 0. H., postmaster at Brimson, Missouri; Mrs. Ellen VanDyke 
and Mrs. Dora Bosley, both deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Walden have four children: Huldah, the wife of James 
Goudie, of Clinton, Missouri ; George, who married Mary Chaney, and who 
live at home ; Ora, the wife of Hadley Pollard of Grundy County, Missouri ; 



554 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and Sena, the wife of Paul Brown of Sugar Creek Township. Their grand- 
children are: Ray, Beatrice and Bertie Pollard. 

Mr. Walden is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
He is progressive and public spirited and one of the substantial citizens 
and financiers of this county. 

The Bank of Melbourne at Melbourne, Missouri, was organized in 
1904 with a capital stock of $10,000.00, with C. F. Oram, cashier; Dr. E. 
Saylor, secretary; and W. H. Oram, president. Its present capital stock 
is $10,000.00, with surplus profits of $6,000.00, and the present ofticers 
are: William Walden, president; Israel VanDyke, vice-president; Frank 
Murphy, cashier. All of the officers are directors, along with L. D. Terry, 
J. B. Shirley, John Hughes and W. W. Alexander. The deposits are 
$50,000.00. The bank owns its building which was built in 1904, and is 
one of the most dependable institutions in the county. 



W. M. and D. O. Van Dyke, well known and successful proprietors of 
Van Dyke Brothers general merchandise store at Melbourne, Missouri, 
were born in Sugar Creek Township, the sons of Israel and Emily Jane 
(Lovell) Van Dyke. Emily Jane Van Dyke was born in Illinois and died 
here in 1920. Her husband is living a I'etired life in Melbourne. He is 
a Civil War veteran as are also two of his brothers, Griffith and Charlie 
Van Dyke. His father, John Van Dyke, was a veteran of the Mexican 
and Civil Wars and died in 1862 in St. Louis, Missouri, in a hospital. 
Charley Van Dyke died in Harrison County, Missouri, and Griffith Van 
Dyke died in 1920. The Van Dykes are of German and English descent 
and the great grandfather of D. 0. and W. M. Van Dyke was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier. 

Mr. and Mrs. Israel Van Dyke were the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Charlie, who conducts a restaurant in Melbourne, Missouri ; W. M. 
and D. 0., the subjects of this sketch; Hannah, the wife of B. F. Payne 
of Sugar Creek Township; Mary, the wife of G. W. Chaney of Sugar 
Creek Township; Laura Ann, the wife of G. W. Hazelit of Glen Rock, 
Wyoming; and Martha, the wife of E. McClure of Fox Creek Township. 

Van Dyke Brothers purchased their store from G. W. Hazelit in 
February, 1918. They have a nice building, 25x28 with steel ceilings. 
They conduct their store in a systematic and businesslike manner and 
have an excellent trade. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 555 

D. 0. VaiiDyke was married in 1913 to Leora Opal McClufe, a 
daughter of J. C. and Celestia McClure of Sugar Creek Township. They 
have three children: Herschel, Celestia J. and Randell C. 

D. 0. Van Dyke is a member of the Masonic Lodge and also a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 



Samuel R. Foster, a well known citizen of Bethany Township, and 
member of a pioneer family of Harrison County, was born on the farm 
where he now lives, November 1, 1875, the son of Samuel and Mary Ann 
(Smith) Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster were married in Harrison 
County, Missouri, both having come to the county in the early days with 
their parents. Samuel Foster died in November, 1910 and is buried at 
Antioch and his wife is now living at the age of ninety years, with her 
son. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Foster were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: John, deceased; William, who died in Texas; Sarah Jane Harvey, 
of Bethany Township ; Thomas of St. Joseph, Missouri ; Rhodus, deceased ; 
George, of Daviess County, Missouri; Ellen Ann Flint, of Cypress Town- 
ship; and Samuel R., the subject of this sketch. 

Samuel R. Foster was educated in the public schools of the county 
and has lived on his present farm all of his life. He owns sixty acres, 
which is located four and one-half miles southeast of Bethany, Missouri, 
and all of the improvements on the place were put on by his father. Mr. 
Foster farms sixty additional acres to that of his farm and is very suc- 
cessful in general farming and dairying. He has the Jersey cows, eligible 
for registry and milks six cows. He raises the 0. I. C. hogs and the 
standard bred Yellow Leghorn chickens. 

Samuel R. Foster was married in April, 1895, to Ida M. Selby, a 
daughter of J. P. and Ann (Nichols) Selby. The former lives in Grant 
Township and the latter died a few years ago. Mrs. Foster was born in 
this county, reared and educated here. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have two 
children: Garland M.. born November 12, 1912; and McKinley H., born 
March 21, 1896. McKinley H. Foster enlisted with Company B, 356th 
Infantry, September 17, 1917, and was sent to Camp Funston and from 
there went to New Mexico with Machine Gun Company, 134th Infantry. 
He went overseas June 15, 1918 with Company A, 108th Machine Gun 
Battalion, 28th Division, and remained with them until his return to 
the United States, May 17, 1919. He was in the Argonne Forest, Chateau 



556 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Thierry, and spent twenty-two months in service. He is now living at 
home and is a charter member of the American Legion Wilson-Axline Post, 
No. 216, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. 

Samuel Foster, the grandfather of this subject, entered the land now 
owned by Alfred Dale, in Sherman Township, which consists of eighty 
acres, in 1855. At that time he had no neighbors nearer than two miles. 
His wife still has the old spinning wheel she used sixty-six years ago, 
and also a pair of cotton and wool cards, together with a little wheel foi' 
spinning flax and tow. John S. Allen operated a store in Bethany, and 
during the Civil War, Mrs. Foster walked to town and did her trading, 
while her husband was amay. She also walked to Bethany to church. 
Her husband was in the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry. Having been a resident 
of Texas when war was declared and not desiring to join the southern 
army, he started north and enlisted in the Union army at Fort Smith. 
For fifteen months Mrs. Foster never slept in a house. She drove a team 
through from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Springfield, and on to Harrison 
County, Missouri, in 1863, and then, with her two children made a liveli- 
hood, until her husband's return from the army, with her wheel and loom. 
Mrs. Foster bought forty acres of land from George Foster in 1865 and 
later owned 150 acres, buying land in small quantities. Mrs. Foster was 
ninety years of age, August 23, 1921 and is still active; she has a clear 
memory and good hearing. Mrs. Foster recalls the old settlers who lived 
here prior to the Civil War, among whom were: Lewis Charlton, for 
whom Mrs. Foster worked when a girl for one dollar a week, weaving and 
spinning; John Jones, Jonathan Jones, Adam Brown, Felix Good, John 
Bolar and Philip Nighthart. 



K. Clifford Burris, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Bethany 
Township, was born in Cypress Township, March 4, 1890, the son of 
Frank P. and Emma C. Burris, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

K. Clifford Burris was educated in the public schools and also at- 
tended Bethany High School. After finishing his education, he engaged 
in farming and bought a farm of sixty acres in 1913, formerly the Charlie 
Chapman farm in Cypress Township, which he sold in 1919. At present 
Mr. Burris is farming eighty acres of the Charles Taggart place in Beth- 
any Township. 

Mr. Burris is very successful and does general farming and stock 
raising. He raises the high grade Jersey cattle and the Spotted Poland 
China hogs, and the pure White Leghorn chickens. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 557 

July 2, 1913, Mr. Burris was married to Myra Brown, of Cypress 
Township, a daughter of George L. and Winnie Brown. Mrs. Brown died 
about the year 1893 and is buried in Burris Cemetery and Mr. Brown is 
Hving in St. Joseph, Missouri. 

K. Clifford Burris is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Bethany, Missouri. Mr. Burris is a 
substantial citizen and a progressive type of man. He is a good farmer 
and stockmian and successful manager. 



Joseph N. Homan, the capable and well known street commissioner 
of Bethany, Missouri, was born in Adams County, Iowa, April 17, 1858, 
the son of Wesley and Melissa (Ramsey) Homan, natives of Kentucky, 
but who were married in Putnam County, Indiana, and settled in Iowa 
in 1855, where Mr. Homan entered land, paying therefore $1.25 per acre. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Homan died there, she at the age of thirty-three years 
in 1864, and he in 1893, and they are buried in Washington Township 
Cemetery in Adams County. Mr. Homan filled the office of county treas- 
urer and was county commissioner there for some time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Homan were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Robert of Adams County, Iowa, who lives near the home place; 
Nancy Jane Falconer, of Enterprise, Oregon; Edmund, of Arkansas; 
Joseph N. ; William M., who died in Chicago, Illinois, in 1916; and Oliver 
P., of Des Moines, Iowa. 

Joseph N. Homan was educated in Adams County, Iowa, attending 
the public schools. He engaged in farming there until 1903, then re- 
moved to Harrison County, Missouri, where he bought a farm of 240 
acres, four miles west of Ridgeway in Jefferson Township. The farm is 
well improved and since coming here, Mr. Homan has built three barns, 
two of them being destroyed by fire. Mr. Homan moved to Bethany in 
February, 1917, and owns a residence on 28th Street. He was appointed 
street commissioner in 1920 and has filled this office for the past year, 
giving entire satisfaction to the citizens of Bethany in the efficient man- 
ner in which he handles the duties of this office. 

Mr. Homan was married February 21, 1880, to Miss Luna K. Knodle 
of Ogle County, Illinois, a daughter of Jonathan and Virginia (Eakle) 
Knodle. Mrs. Homan was eduated at Mount Morris, Illinois, where she 
attended a seminary. 



558 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. and Mrs. Homan are the parents of four children living and one 
dead: Oliver L., Lois E., Lula Glee, Ira T., and Edmund Herschel. 
Oliver, who married Minnie Olson of Montford, Wisconsin, and have three 
children, Luna Mildred, Jesse and Chauncey; Lois E., who married W. E. 
Hendren and live near Eagleville on a farm of their own and have one 
son, Dwight, and lost two little girls; Ira T., who married Carrie C. 
Cooper of Holbrook, Nebraska, and they have one child living, Phylis, 
and lost one little girl; Edmund Herschel, lives on the home place on 
the Jefferson Highway, just half way between Bethany and Eagleville. 
He married Nellie N. Teeter of Holbrook, Nebraska, and has one child, 
Keith. 

Mr. Homan is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows lodges and is one of the progressive and enter- 
prising citizens of Bethany. They are also leading members of the First 
Baptist Church, Mr. Homan being the superintendent of the Sunday 
School. 



Charles M. Wagoner, a prosperous farmer of Sherman Towaiship, and 
proprietor of Woodbine Farm, was born on the farm where he now lives, 
May 26, 1876, the son of John W. and Clara J. (Williams) Wagoner. John 
W. Wagoner was born in Indiana, June 14, 1853, and his wife was born 
June 4, 1860. She is living in Bethany, Missouri, with her daughter. 
Bertha. John W. Wagoner died March 17, 1899, at the age of forty-five 
years and is buried in Fairview Cemetery. John W. Wagoner owned 
280 acres of land at the time of his death. During his school days, he 
associated with Edgar Howe, now a famous writer. 

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wagoner were the parents of the following 
children : Charles M., the subject of this sketch ; John Burton and Bertha 
Jeannette, twins, born June 16, 1879; Roy Silas, bom January 1, 1887, 
who lives in Daviess County, Missouri, near Bancroft, and has five children. 

Jacob Wagoner, grandfather of Charles M. Wagoner, was born near 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and located in Missouri, April 16, 1859. He 
settled where Charles M. Wagoner now lives, paying $650.00 for eighty 
acres of land. Jacob Wagoner died in Ridgeway, Missouri, in April, 1888. 
Charles Wagoner has a photograph of his grandfather's residence, built 
in 1865 on the site of his present home. The old kitchen still stands and 
is used now for a smokehouse. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 559 

George Wagoner, the grandfather of Jacob Wagoner, was a first 
lieutenant under General George Washington, in the Revolutionary War. 

Charles M. Wagoner was educated in the public schools, and at Ridge- 
way High School, and moved to his present farm, December 27, 1899. 
He owns 280 acres in Sherman Township, and, with the exception of a 
barn built in 1879, has put all of the buildings on the place himself. The 
present bungalow was built in 1917 by Charles Wagoner, and is a pretty 
residence, with all modern conveniences, including furnace, bath, water, 
etc. 

Charles M. Wagoner was married December 25, 1899, to Mada Puis, 
a daughter of James A. and Margaret Puis, a sketch of whom appears in 
connection with P. C. and Everet Puis, her brother. Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner 
were the parents of a daughter, Carmaleta, who was born June 17, 1901, 
and died April 15, 1921. She was the wife of Roe Foster, having married 
August 29, 1918. 

Mr. Wagoner has filled the office of township clerk and assessor and 
has an extensive acquaintance throughout the county. 



W. W. Helton, a prosperous farmer and proprietor of Fairview Farm 
in Fox Creek Township, was born in Morgan County, Indiana, February 
20, 1859, the son of James B. and Mary Jane (Kelso) Helton, both of whom 
died in Gentry County in 1912. 

Mr. and Mrs. James B. Helton were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Thomas A., of Stanberry, Missouri; W. W., the subject of this 
sketch of Harrison County, Missouri ; Charlie, of Gentry County, Missouri ; 
Francis M., Cass County, Missouri; Sarah Burroughs, of Iowa; Hattie, 
the wife of John Petit of Idaho. By a former marriage of James Helton, 
he had four children: Mrs. Eliza Jane Stout, deceased; Jess W., of Mon- 
tana; Mrs. Nancy Ann Elkins, of Indiana, and Mrs. Mary Studer, de- 
ceased. 

W. W. Helton was educated in the public schools and came to Har- 
rison County, Missouri, in 1881, locating in Fox Creek Township, where 
he bought his present farm in 1885 of D. P. Brown. He now owns 200 
acres, which is situated ten miles east of Bethany, Missouri, on the county 
road. There are two sets of improvements on the farm, a fine residence 
built in 1897, good barn and other buildings, and the land is watered by 
wells and pools. Mr. Helton does general farming and is very successful. 
He also owns a residence in Bethany, where he lives in the winter. 



560 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

W. W. Helton was married the first time in 1884 to Ibbie Brown, a 
daughter of D. P. Brown. Mrs. Helton died in 1908, leaving a daughter, 
Lura G., the wife of Bert Layson, of Cypress Township, and they have 
a son, Garland Layson. 

Mr. Helton was married the second time in January, 1913, to Nellie 
Coffey, of Martinsville, Indiana, a daughter of Moses T. and Lucinda 
Renner Coffey, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Coffey was a native of 
Indiana and a veteran of the Civil War and his wife was a native of Ohio. 
Mrs. Helton was educated in Morgan County, Indiana. 

Mr. and Mrs. Coffey were the parents of the following children: 
George W., deceased; Maiy J., the wife of James Beecham ; John, de- 
ceased; Philip L., of Indiana; Mrs. Barbary Huntzniger, deceased; Eliza, 
the wife of Nathan Elgin ; Mrs. Helton ; Willie, of Martinsville, Indiana. 

Lewis Coffey, grandfather of Mrs. Helton, was of Irish descent, and 
was born in Kentucky, but moved to Indiana in pioneer days. The Ren- 
ners, who are Pennsylvania Dutch, are natives of Pennsylvania and reared 
there. 

Mr. Helton has been a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at 
Bethany for the past five years and is well and favorably known in Har- 
rison County. 



Samuel I. Harrison, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Marion 
Township, was born in Harrison County, near Morrison Chapel, Novem- 
ber 18, 1884, and is a son of Henry B. and Katharine J. (Milligan) Har- 
rison, both natives of Green County, Tennessee, and early settlers in 
Harrison County, Missouri, where the father was a successful farmer 
during his active career. The father died in March, 1891 and is buried 
in the Ridgeway Cemetery, and the mother lives in Marion Township with 
Samuel I. of this sketch. 

To Henry B. and Katharine J. (Milligan) Harrison were born the 
following children : John W., married Ira McLaughlin and they reside at 
Ridgeway, Missouri ; Mary, married William V. Leasenby and they live 
in Marion Township; Seba J., married Alfred Mulnix and they live in 
Marion Township; James, married Mae Ellington and they reside at Liv- 
ing Springs, Montana; Coleman B., married Hesther Caldwell, Marion 
Township; Addie, married Wallace Denton, Marion Township: Emma, 
married Sam Baker, Madison Township; Frank married Audrey White 






> 







HISTORY OF HAKRISON COUNTY 561 

and they live in Marion Township; Rufus, died at the age of sixteen 
years; and Samuel I., the subject of this sketch. 

Samuel I. Harrison was reared on a farm and attended school at the 
Pleasant Valley School District and other rural schools in Harrison County. 
Early in life he bought sixty acres of land which he later sold and went 
to Texas. After remaining four years in that state, he returned to Har- 
rison County and operated rented land for two years. He then bought 
a part of his present place which consisted of 100 acres of valuable land. 
Later he purchased more land and now owns 208 acres which is known as 
"Blue Grass Corner." The place is well improved and Mr. Harrison carries 
on general farming and stock raising and has met with success. He is 
unmarried and his mother m.akes her home with him. 

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Methodist Church at Ridgeway, and 
has held membership in the Modern Woodmen of America Lodge for the 
past twenty years. He is a Democrat and one of the substantial citizens 
of Marion Township and Harrison County. 



Joseph NefF, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Sherman and 
Fox Creek townships, and proprietor of Glendale Farm, is a native of 
Fox Creek Township, born March 13, 1874, the son of Daniel B. and 
Nancy E. (Wiley) Neff, both deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Neff were natives of Indiana, but settled in 
Harrison County in 1858, and Mr. Neff was one of the prominent stock 
men and farmers of this county for many years. He died May 4, 1919, 
and his wife died November 4, 1911; both are buried in Miriam Ceme- 
tery. Mr. and Mrs. Neff were the parents of the following children: 
George T., of Bethany; Landa T., who died when twenty-seven years 
of age ; Minta 0., the wife of Robert Kincade of Coffey, Missouri ; Mrs. 
Emma Springer, deceased; Joseph S., the subject of this sketch; Addie, 
the wife of W. R. Kinkade of Montana; Eva, the wife of Frank Miller 
of Peculiar, Missouri; Essie, of Los Angeles, California; and Ona Ree, 
the wife of J. R. Tilley of Idaho. 

Joseph S. Neff was educated in the public schools and at Chillicothe 
Business College, and taught in this college for one year. After finishing 
his education, he farmed the home place in Fox Creek Township until 
in 1919, when he moved to his present place, which consists of 504 acres. 
He farms more than 200 acres and the remainder of the land is pasture 
(31) 



562 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and meadow. Mr. Neff has ten acres of soy beans, and also raises corn, 
oats, and wheat, and feeds cattle and hogs, raising the Jersey cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. The farm is well improved with two sets of im- 
provements suitable for farm and stock use. 

Joseph Neff was married in December, 1900, to Ella Bebermeyer, a 
daughter of H. C. and Lucy (Ulmer) Bebermeyer, who now live in Em- 
poria, Kansas. Mrs. Neff was born in Warren County, Missouri, and 
received her education there, later attending the Chillicothe State Teach- 
ers College, where she taught a few years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Neff are the parents of the following children : Howard 
W., a graduate of Bethany High School of class 1920; Garland D., now 
in the third year of the high school; Maurine, who is in her third year 
in high school; Nadine, who is in the sixth grade. 

Mr. Neff has filled membership on the township board. He is well 
known throughout the county for his progressive ideas and he and his 
family are highly respected citizens. 



George R. Burris, an enterprising and wide-awake young farmer of 
Fox Creek Township, was born in Cypress Township, the son of Frank P. 
and Emma C. (Barlow) Burris, a sketch of whom appears in this book. 

George R. Burris was educated in the Bethany, Missouri, High School ; 
Cameron, Missouri, Wesleyan College, and at the State University at 
Columbia, Missouri. After finishing his education, he clerked in the gen- 
eral store of R. H. Wren and son at Bethany, and then went to Cainsville, 
Missouri, and is in business for himself. He then retumea to Betnany 
and engaged in the implement business for two years, and, since 1911, 
has farmed on his present place in Fox Creek Township ; this was formei'ly 
the Oliver B. Clinkenbeard farm. This place consists of 320 acres of 
land and is well improved. Mr. Burris is a very successful farmer and 
besides his agricultural pursuits he takes an active interest in politics and 
affairs of the county. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at 
Bethany. 

Mr. Burris was married June 2, 1909 to Etta Clinkenbeard, a daugh- 
ter of Oliver B. and Mary A. (Brown) Clinkenbeard, the latter a daugh- 
ter of William Brovm, a pioneer of Fox Creek Township, and a sketch 
of whom appears in connection with that of L. S. Brown. Mrs. Clinken- 
beard lives in Bethany, Missouri, and her husband died in February, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 563 

1919 and is buried at Bethany, Missouri. Mr. Clinkenbeard's father, 
George W. Clinkenbeard, entered the farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Burris 
live, and the improvements were put on by Oliver B. Clinkenbeard, de- 
ceased. 

Mrs. Bun-is was educated in the public schools of Bethany. Mr. and 
Mrs. Burris have a son, George Roscoe, who was born April 17, 1915. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burris are well known in Bethany and Harrison County 
and have many friends. 



Francis M. McLey, a well known and highly respected citizen of Har- 
rison County, is a native of Sugar Creek Township, this county, and born 
December 14, 1853, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Watts) McLey, both 
deceased. Joseph McLey was a native of West Virginia, born in 1827, 
and who died here September 22, 1915, and is buried in Union Cemetery. 
His wife was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and died July 5, 1895. 
Joseph McLey came to Missouri from Virginia with his father in pioneer 
days, and entered land in 1848, when twenty-one years of age. His father, 
mother, two brothers and a sister came with him, making the ti'ip by 
boat from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to Brunswick, Missouri, and 
drove overland to Grundy County. Joseph McLey was in the Missouri 
State Militia on the Union side, during the Civil War. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McLey were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Francis M., the subject of this sketch; Henry Franklin of Bridge- 
port, Missouri ; Mrs. Louisa Clutter of St. Clair, Missouri ; J. B., who died 
in 1864 ; Joseph Lincoln, who died in 1864 ; and Rachel, who died when 
sixteen years of age. 

Francis M. McLey was educated in the schools of the county and 
married when twenty years of age. He has lived on his present farm 
of 120 acres, four and one-half miles northwest of Melbourne, since 
December, 1900. This place is well improved, with good residence, barns, 
and other buildings, and Mr. McLey does general farming. 

February 15, 1874, Mr. McLey was married to Sarah Ninemyers, 
who died October 1, 1881, leaving three children: Extine Felix, of Beth- 
any, Joseph S., of Sugar Creek Township, and Cora Alice, the wife of Will 
Curtiss of St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Mr. McLey married his present wife, Miranda E. Hiatt, a daughter 
of William J. and Sarah Joseph Hiatt, September 24, 1884, at Union 



564 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Church. Mrs. McLey was born in Boone County, Indiana, and came to 
Harrison County in 1865. 

Mr. and Mrs. McLey are the parents of the following children : Nancy 
Elizabeth, who died when thirteen months old ; Sarah May, the wife of 
Arthur Terhune of Melbourne, Missouri ; Roy H., who married Katie E. 
Miller, who died, and who married the second time Ula Card; Myrtle 
Ellen, the wife of Jacob Hutchinson of Bethany, Missouri; Tressie 0., 
the wife of John Harrison of Melbourne, Missouri ; Catherine, the wife 
of Charles King of Jamesport, Missouri; and Arthur D., who lives at 
home. 

Roy H. McLey was in the United States Army during the World War, 
enlisting April 1, 1918, and was sent to Camp Funston, and two months 
later, went overseas with the 89th Division. He was under shell fire at 
the front for twenty-three hours prior to the signing of the armistice. 

The grandchildren of Mr. ancj Mrs. Francis McLey are: Ruth Miller; 
Othal and Harmon McLey; Alice Hudson; Cassia and Laberta McLey; 
Mrs. Lorine Ridgeway of Kansas City, Missouri; Francis Turner, now in 
the United States Army at Camp Upton, New York; Paul Turner, now 
with the army of occupation at Coblenz, Germany; Truman King; Mil- 
dred, Ralph, Wilfreda, Ellen, Ethel, Roy Clinton, Howard and Loretta 
Terhune; Marion, Marvel and Cecil Hutchinson; and the following who 
are deceased : Amy, Leta, Cecil, Deloris, Alath, Frederick K., Flora Olive, 
Fi'ancis Dale McLey, and Volney, Jr., Harrison, Ruby Terhune. 

Francis M. McLevy has an extensive acquaintance in Harrison County 
and stands high in the community. 



Frank Murphy, the efficient and well known cashier of the Bank of 
Melbourne, was born in Grundy County, Missouri, March 11, 1897, the 
son of James E. and Edna (Dunlap) Murphy, who reside near Laredo, 
Missouri, on a farm. Mrs. Edna Murphy was born in Grundy County, 
Missouri, and James E. Murphy is a native of Ohio, but came to Grundy 
County in 1883. 

Frank Murphy was graduated from the Laredo High School in 1914, 
and after finishing school, taught for two years, and then worked in the 
bank of Laredo for one year. During the World War, he enlisted in the 
United States army, June 10, 1918, at Trenton, Missouri, and was first 
sent to Jefferson Barracks, then to Camp Humphreys, Virginia, Camp 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 565 

Forest, Georgia, Camp Meade, Maryland, and back to Camp Taylor, Ken- 
tucky, where he was discharged February 10, 1919. He was with the 
211th Engineers, 11th Division. He is a member of the Major Dale Stepp 
Post of the American Legion at Trenton, Missouri, also a member of the 
Masonic Lodge at Oilman and the Lidependent Order of Odd Fellows at 
Melbourne. 



Philip Schwenk, a well known and highly respected citizen of Bethany, 
and who is now living a retired life, was born in Germany, February 23, 
1854, the son of John and Philipine (Rus) Schwenk, but who came to 
America when seventeen years of age, and engaged in the bakery busi- 
ness which he had learned in Germany. He located first at Charleston, 
Indiana, then went to St. Louis, Missouri, from there to Ottumwa, Iowa, 
and then came to Princeton, Missouri, but eventually located in Bethany 
in 1881, and first worked for Mr. Robinson and Aufricht Bros. In 1884, 
he bought the William Heaston bakery, which he operated until Septem- 
ber, 1920, when he sold out to Fred Wheeler. Philip Schwenk has resided 
in Bethany for forty years, during which time he has made many friends. 

Mr. Schwenk was married December 4, 1884 to Amelia Mainwaring, 
a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Henry) Mainwaring, both natives 
of England, where they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Mainwaring came 
to America in 1840 and settled in Jefferson Township, where Mrs. Schwenk 
was bom in a cabin. Mr. Mainwaring died April 7, 1907, and his wife died 
September, 1907, and both are buried in Spruce Cemetery. 

Mr and Mrs. Schwenk are the parents of the following children: 
Elizabeth, born February 14, 1886, who was graduated from Bethany 
High School and Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois and who is 
a stenographer at the naval ordinance plant; John C, born December 
20, 1888, who attended high school here, and who is now a baker at 
Spokane, Washington; Clara E., born November 27, 1891 and who died 
at the age of twenty years, and who was also a graduate of Bethany 
High School and Gem City Business College, and was a stenographer; 
Gay and May twins, born December 28, 1894, the former died January 
15, 1895 and the latter February 15, 1895 ; Paul Lewis, born November 2, 
1902 and died February 2, 1903; Loren Dockery bom September 4, 1903 
and died February 1, 1904. 

Mr. Schwenk is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Yeoman 
Lodges. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk have lived in their present home about 



566 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

twenty years. They bought this house, which was built by Samuel 
Frazier, from Gay Aufrecht. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk are enjoying the 
fruits of their well spent life, in their modern home, which has a com- 
fortable porch, and which is surrounded by a well kept lawn with shade 
trees. This lawn together with a garden gives Mr. Schwenk just enough 
labor in its care to keep him healthy. 

In 1900 Mr. Schwenk took a trip to his old home in Germany; after 
visiting there he took a trip by boat down the Rhine, seeing all the old 
castles. He then went to Paris and took in the Worlds Fair. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schwenk are members of the First Christian Church of Bethany, Mis- 
souri. 



James W, Amey, a prosperous and wide-awake farmer of Fox Creek 
Township, was born one mile south of his present home, December 10, 
1878 the son of George and Hannah (Hughes) Arney. The latter died 
in 1918 and is buried at Sharon Chapel, and the former lives in Bethany, 
Missouri. 

John Wesley Arney, grandfather of James W. Amey, entered land in 
Fox Creek Township, where he died, and is buried in Springer Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. George Amey were the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Thomas A. of Bethany, Missouri ; J. D., Bakersfield, California ; 
Mrs. Lummie Hogan of Fox Creek Township ; Floyd J. of Fox Creek Town- 
ship; 0. R. of Fox Creek Township; Mrs. B. L. Neff of Sherman Town- 
ship; Mrs. Ree Dickover of Marshall County, Iowa; Mrs. Rue Butcher of 
St. Joseph, Missouri; and James W., the subject of this sketch. 

James W. Arney was educated in the schools of this district, and at 
the age of twenty-three years, went to Grant County, Oklahoma where 
he engaged in farming and stock raising. He was there for ten years 
and then returned to Fox Creek Township, where he has lived since. He 
owns 240 acres of land on the home place and 285 acres one mile north. 
He does general farming and raises the registered whitefaced Hereford 
cattle and the pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs, and is one of the most 
successful farmers of the county. 

March 12, 1899, Mr. Amey was married to Amanda E. Wooderson, 
a daughter of James A. and Catherine (Stotts) Wooderson, both de- 
ceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arney have the following children: Ray W., Maude, 
Fern, Loris, deceased, Nadine and Gerald. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY ' 567 

Mr. Arney is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Bethany. He is a very energetic, and enterprising farmer, and besides 
his agricultural pursuits, finds time to take an interest in the affairs 
of the county. 



Alfred C. Bonser, a substantial citizen of Bethany, who has been 
in the painting business here for the past twenty-five years, was born 
January 19, 1864, in Illinois, the son of Joseph W. and Priscilla J. (Cave) 
Bonser. Priscilla Bonser was a daughter of the Rev. A. N. Cave, Sr., 
who was born April 25, 1814, and who came here in the fifties, and died 
November 24, 1888. For many years, he was a minister of the Methodist 
Church of Bethany. Priscilla J. Bonser died January 23, 1864 and her 
husband, Joseph W. Bonser died November 15, 1898. 

Rev. A. N. Cave, Sr., grandfather of Alfred C. Bonser, was a veteran 
of the Civil War and was treasure of Harrison County for two terms, 
and at one time, in pioneer days, he had twenty-two appointments in this 
and other counties and was instrumental in establishing a number of 
churches in this part of Missouri. He was a popular minister and officiated 
at eighty weddings in one winter, and the bad weather never kept him 
from his services, although he rode horseback, and often fed his horse 
on potatoes. 

The Bonser family records begins in Hesse Castle, Germany, where 
John Bonser, the great grandfather of Alfred C. Bonser, was born. He 
came to America during the Revolutionary War, and was married in Vir- 
ginia to Elizabeth Bensyl, a native of Virginia. They located in Chilli- 
cothe, Ohio, where John Bonser died. His son, John Bonser, Jr., was born 
in Pennsylvania and died April 19, 1865. He married Rebecca Work, a. 
native of Indiana, who was born in 1804 and died September 13, 1836. 
Joseph W. Bonser, the father of Alfred Bonser, was the second son of 
his parents, born March 31, 1831 and who died November 5, 1898. 

Alfred C. Bonser was educated in the schools at Bethany, Missouri, 
and, when sixteen years of age, began to learn the painting trade. For 
eight years, he was coroner of Harrison County, and was in the under- 
taking business, but has followed his painting trade for twenty-five years, 
and is still engaged in this work, with a shop, thirty feet square, which 
is located near his residence. Mr. Bonser does fancy sign painting and 
specializes in automobile painting as well, and is an expert in this line of 
work. 



568 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

December 30, 1886, Mr. Bonser was married to Hattie M. Branham, 
a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah J. Branham of Albany, Missouri. Jon- 
athan Branham, who was a veteran of the Civil War, died October 1, 1883 
in Albany, Missouri, and his wife, who is eighty-six years of age, lives with 
Mrs. Bonser. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bonser have a daughter Hazel M., the wife of Dr. Glenn 
H. Broyles of Kansas City, Missouri, and they have a son Llyod Bonser 
Broyles. 

Mr. Bonser is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Modern Woodmen of America and Yeoman Lodges, and is a highly re- 
spected citizen of Bethany. 



S. D. Rardin, Jr., of the firm of S. D. Rardin, Jr. and Company, Ridge- 
way, Missouri, is one of the extensive general produce dealers of northern 
Missouri. Mr. Rardin was born in Laville, Iowa, December 3, 1869, a 
son of S. D. and Alice (Moore) Rardin. 

S. D. Rardin, Sr., was a native of Indiana. Early in life he removed 
to Iowa which was some time in the fifties. About 1870, he came to 
Missouri and engaged in the mercantile business at Cainsville, Harrison 
County. He remained there until 1880 when he located on the present 
site of Ridgeway. This was before the raih'oad was built here and before 
there was any settlement except a few farm houses in this vicinity. He 
erected a crude building about where the telephone office is now located 
and there engaged in the general mercantile business. This was the first 
store in Ridgeway. The town was platted the following fall after Mr. 
Rardin located here and shortly afterwards he built a more commodious 
and substantial store building where Ollie Bennett's store is now located. 
He was engaged in the general mercantile business here for a number of 
years but spent the latter part of his life in retirement. He died De- 
cember 2, 1918. His first wife died about the time that S. D. Rardin, 
Jr. was born, leaving the following children: Caroline Drew, now de- 
ceased ; Mrs. Mary Nelson, Texas ; Mrs. Alice Lincoln, Cainsville, Missouri ; 
Charles Rardin, who now lives in Kansas; Ida, married Ben Reeves, a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere; and S. D. Rardin, the subject of this 
sketch. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Rardin married the ^^idow of 
William Reeves. (See sketch of Ben Reeves in this volume). 

S. D. Rardin, Jr., was reared in Ridgeway and educated in the public 
schools. He worked in his father's store when a young man and on 




S. D. RARDIX, JR. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 569 

April 27, 1894, he engaged in the produce business at Ridgeway and with 
the exception of a few months he has been engaged in that business up 
to the present time. He handles poultry, eggs and cream and does an 
extensive business. His business covers a broad scope of territory and 
he has branch stations at Brooklyn, Mount Moriah and Blue Ridge and at 
the present time has nine men in his employ. He ships eggs and dressed 
poultry in car load lots to the principal markets of the middle west and 
east and live poultry is generally shipped in smaller lots. 

The business is housed by a building 47x120 feet which is divided 
into various departments, including packing, picking and shipping and 
storage rooms. He has installed the most complete refrigerator system 
in Harrison County at a cost of $10,000. It is operated by a fifteen-horse 
power gas engine and the refrigerator has a storage capacity of three 
car loads. This is one of the important industrial institutions of Har- 
rison County and Mr. Rardin is deserving of much credit for providing 
such an extensive market for the producers of this section. 

On February 19, 1891, Mr. Rardin was married to Miss Dolly Walker 
of Mercer County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Rardin have been born 
three children as follows: Paul, who is with his father in the produce 
business ; Daisy, lives in California ; and Dorothy, at home. 

Mr. Rardin is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Christian Church. He is a pro- 
gressive and enterprising citizen and one of the leading business men of 
Harrison County. 



Simon R. King, a well known citizen of Bethany, Missouri, better 
known as "Dick" King, was born in Dallas Township, October 14, 1881, the 
son of William J. and Carlottie J. (Lovelace) King. Mrs. King was a 
daughter of Richard Lovelace and wife, early settlers of Dallas Town- 
ship. They died in Bethany, Missouri, and are buried here. William J. 
King died in January, 1898 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, and his 
wife is now living in Bethany, Missouri. 

William J. King and wife were the parents of the following children: 
Samuel E. of Bethany; Bell, the wife of E. W. Kelly; Myrtle, the widow 
of Charles Hocker of Bethany ; Alice, the wife of J. H. Hogan of Bethany ; 
Simon R., the subject of this sketch; Elsie Ann, the wife of Frank Elli- 
ott of Hemingford, Nebraska; Charles H. of Genoa, Platte County, Ne- 
braska ; Margaret, the wife of Harry Sawyer of Bethany ; Bessie E., the 



570 HISTORY Ol'" HARRISON COUNTY 

wife of Rolls Bartlett of Jefferson Township; and Sherman W. of Broken 
Bow, Nebraska. 

Simon R. King was married, March 11, 1903, to Bessie A. Hogan, of 
Gentry County, Missouri, a daughter of S. M. and Lydia C. (Ward) 
Hogan, both of whom live in Gentry County. Mrs. King was born, reared 
and educated in Athens Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. King have a son, Garland R., born August 1, 1914. 
The family reside at the corner of South Fifteenth Street and Vandvert 
Avenue, and prior to moving to Bethany in March, 1921. Mr. King was 
engaged in farming in Dallas Township. 

Mr. King is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and is a well known and highly respected citizen of this county. 



Isaac Allen Edson, an enterprising and successful dealer in country 
produce and feed of Bethany, Missouri, is a native of Harrison County, 
born in Jefferson Township, January 14, 1860, the son of Timothy and 
Caroline (Bridges) Edson. Timothy Edson was bom in Illinois, Septem- 
ber 18, 1841, and came to Harrison County in the 50's. During the Civil 
War, he enlisted with Company B of Merrill's Horse 2nd Missouri Cavalry, 
and died at St. Louis in 1863. while on his way home on a furlough and 
is buried at Jefferson Barracks. Mrs. Timothy Edson is living at Mar- 
tinsville. Mr. and Mrs. Edson were the parents of two children ; Janie, 
who died in infancy, and Isaac Allen, the subject of this sketch. 

Isaac Allen Edson was educated in the Jefferson Township and Union 
schools, and has been engaged in farming and shipping stock ever since 
young manhood until November, 1915, when he moved to Bethany, and 
started his present business June, 10, 1918. He buys and sells poultry, 
eggs, cream, etc., and sells feeds of all kinds, and has been very success- 
ful. Besides his business affairs. Mr. Edson has also filled the office 
of justice of the peace and trustee of Jefferson Township. 

September 21, 1879, Mr. Edson was married to Alice Stanton, a 
daughter of Morris H. and Serena J. (Blakeman) Stanton, both deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Stanton were early settlers of Washington To^vnship, 
coming here about 1860, and Mrs. Isaac Edson was born in that township 
in 1860. 

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Allen Edson were the parents of the following 
children: Arthur of St. Joseph, Missouri; Charles H., proprietor of Edson 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 571 

Battery Station of Bethany; Alma E., deceased, the wife of John Wyant; 
Edwin F., a farmer of Jefferson Township; Acta 0., the widow of Lee 
Morris of Bethany, Missouri; M. C. of Baca County, Colorado; R. M. of 
Baca County, Colorado, and Edith S., the wife of Ellis Lawrence of Wash- 
ington Township. A son died in infancy. 

Mr. Edson is a member of the Independent Ordfer of Odd Fellows 
at Martinsville, Missouri. He takes a commendable interest in local affairs 
and is public spirited and progressive. 



Dr. George Edgar Hendren, a well known and efficient veterinary of 
Bethany, Missouri, was born in Jefferson Township, August 26, 1872, 
the son of George W. and Isabelle A. (Kelly) Hendren. Mrs. Hendren is 
a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Alexander) Kelly who came to 
Harrison County about 1857 and located in Jefferson Township, where 
they both died and are buried at Morris Chapel. George W. Hendren 
still lives on the Kelly farm which was entered by George W. Kelly. 
William Hendren, grandfather of Dr. Hendren, was a native of Kentucky, 
but settled in Daviess County in 1856, and a year later, came to Harrison 
County and bought land in Jefferson Township. J. L. Hendren, a son, 
bought the home place, and 0. C. Hendren, a son of George Hendren, 
bought the farm from him and is living there now. 

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hendren are the parents of the following 
children: Lewis of Jeffer.son Township; G. E., the subject of this sketch; 
Delia, the wife of Call Wyatt of Topeka, Kansas; Oliver C. of Jefferson 
Township; Rosa, the wife of Jacob Jennings of Bethany: Waltei-, who 
lives at home; and Abigail, who died in girlhood. 

G. E. Hendren was educated in the public schools and attended a 
veterinary college of Kansas City, Missouri, from which he was graduated 
in the class of 1914. He then located in Bethany, Missouri, where he 
has since enjoyed an excellent practice. 

Dr. Hendren was married December 25, 1900 to Rosa D. Ragland, 
a daughter of Thomas and Minnie (Parker) Ragland, who reside in Lan- 
caster, Kansas. Mrs. Hendren was born near Highland, Kansas, in 
Doniphan County and educated in the public schools there. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ragland were the parents of the following 
children: Mrs. Hendren; Bert, of Nortonville, Kansas; Omar of Highland, 



572 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Kansas; Sylvia, the wife of William Cowhick of Boone, Iowa; and Alva 
of Lancaster, Kansas. 

Dr. and Mrs. Hendren are the parents of two children: Bertha I., 
a student in Bethany High School; and Kenneth, a junior in the High 
School. 

Dr. Hendren fs a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
Lodge of Bethany and has an extensive acquaintance throughout the 
county. 



William A. Baldwin, a widely known educator of the county, but who 
is now engaged in the coal business in Bethany, was born in Denton County, 
Texas May 2, 1865, the son of Edward and Susan (Glendenning) Baldwin. 
Edward Baldwin went to Texas from Missouri and Michigan prior to the 
Civil War and enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until the war 
closed. He was shot in the right leg in Louisiana, and was incapacitated 
for a short time, but upon recovery, went back with his company. After 
the war closed, he settled in Bates County, Missouri, but in 1868, came 
to Harrison County and located in Dallas Township, where he died Decem- 
ber 15, 1895, and is buried in Kidwell Cemetery. His wife is living with 
her daughter Mrs. W. R. Thompson near Martinsvlle, and Mrs. Jonathan 
Vanhoozer of Albany. She is eighty-two years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Baldwin were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Emma, the wife of J. L. Roundtree, deceased; Ellis of New Hampton, 
Missouri, deceased ; Edward, who died at the age of six years ; Eugene, a 
blacksmith of Shenandoah, Iowa; W. A., the subject of this sketch; Ezra, 
who died at the age of five years; Flora, the wife of W. R. Thompson of 
Dallis Township ; Nellie, the wife of Jonathan Van Hoozer of Albany, Mis- 
souri; Charles, the superintendent of schools at Neosho, Missouri; and 
Ethel, who died at the age of thirty-five years. 

William A. Baldvdn was educated in Dallas Township, and for twenty- 
five years, taught school in Harrison and Gentry counties, and one year at 
Lyons County, Kansas. His first school was at Danford School in 1883, 
and his last school was at Blue Ridge, Missouri in 1919, and he is teach- 
ing there this year, 1922. Mr. Baldwin moved to Bethany in April, 1916 
and since then, he has dealt in coal here and has built up a good business. 

William A. Baldwin was married April 8, 1891, to Emma Taggart, 
a daughter of John and Matilda Taggart, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Taggart were married in Indiana and came to Harrison County before the 
Civil War. He was a captain of the Home Guards, stationed at St. Joseph, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 573 

Missouri. Mr. Taggart was a native of Ireland, and came to America 
when four years of age, with his parents. He died in August, 1913 and 
his wife died in October, 1911 ; both are buried at Antioch Cemetery. 

Mr. and Mrs. Taggart were the parents of the following children: 
Nancy Ann, the wife of Josiah Bogue of Oilman, Missouri ; John and James, 
both of whom died in infancy ; Wiley P., deceased ; Madora Ellen, the 
widow of Robert Mayhrigh of Bethany, Missouri ; W. W. of Sherman Town- 
ship ; Bessie, the wife of James Welden, deceased ; Mrs. Baldwin ; Charles 
Mansur of Adams Township; and Nona B., deceased. John Taggart was 
a farmer and for eight years was a state senator, having been elected on 
the Democratic ticket. He was a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows for sixty-three years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have three children; Blanche, the widow of 
George Rouzer of Bethany; Edith, the wife of Benjamin Hill, a merchant 
at Blue Ridge, Missouri, and Evah, a student in the Bethany High School. 

Blanche Rouzer was educated in the Oilman City schools, and was 
graduated from the high schools at that place in 1910, and is also a gradu- 
ate of the Central Business College at Bethany. Her husband, George 
Rouzer, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, died November 21, 1918 
at Hog Island, while he was with the United States shipyard, as a ship 
builder. Mrs. Rouzer is at present employed by the Bethany Trust Com- 
pany in the abstract department. Edith the wife of Benjamin Hill. Gradu- 
ated in the Oilman High School and taught four years. She was teaching 
in Oilman when married. 

The Baldwin family have always been progressive, public spirited, and 
citizens of real worth. 



Alexander Murray, a member of the firm of Ebersole Brothers and 
Company at Albany, Missouri, is well known in Harrison County where 
he was born, grew up, and engaged in farming for many years. 

Mr. Murray was born in Harrison County, September 29, 1878, the 
son of W. O. and Janet (Griffen) Murray. They were both born in Glas- 
gow, Scotland, where they were also married. They came to the United 
States in 1873 and settled on a farm in this county where they lived until 
recently when they sold the first place and purchased a ten acre tract 
of land near Bethany where they now live. To their union the following 
children were born: Walter, living at Bethany; Lizzie, now Mrs. Eckard 
of Hatfield; Jessie, a teacher in Kansas City, Missouri; Alexander, the 
subject of this sketch; William, living at Bethany; Christina, now Mrs. 



574 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Morris of Bethany; Agnes, living at home; John, a resident of Bethany, 
Alexina, deceased, was Mrs. Morris ; Andrew, living at Bethany ; and Jean- 
nie, now Mrs. Miles of New Hampton. 

Alexander Murray attended the White Cloud rural school. He farmed 
on a tract of land north of New Hampton with marked success until 
October, 1919 when he sold this farm and moved to Ridgeway where he 
lived for six months. He then bought a half interest in the Ebef.^iole Mill 
at Albany with P. R. Ebersole as the other owner. Previously to buy- 
ing an interest in the mill, Mr. Murray sold a small tract of land adjoining 
Ridgeway which he had taken in the trade of his farm. The disposal of 
this land left Mr. Murray free to devote all of his time to the work in 
the will. This mill is equipped with machinery for grinding and chopping; 
and the fimi handles flour, feed and farm seeds as well as buying and 
shipping grain. The mill is a successful business venture and has been 
well managed by the owners. 

Alexander Murray was married August 10, 1904 to Evah Ebersole, a 
daughter of C. and Eliza Ebersole of New Hampton. Mrs. Ebersole is 
deceased, and Mr. Ebersole is living at New Hampton. To the union of 
Alexander and Evah (Ebersole) Murray two children have been born: 
Gordon, now a junior in the Albany High School; and Jenet Evelyn. 

Mr. Murray is favorably known throughout Han-ison County as a 
man of enterprise and ability. In Albany also, he is esteemed as a pro- 
gressive business man. 



Dr. Felix G. Smith a well known physician of Bethany, is a member 
of a prominent pioneer family of the county. The Smith family has been 
known in Harrison County since the first half of the nineteenth century, 
and the men of the family have been prominent in political affairs of the 
county and the state for many years. 

Hercules Smith, deceased, the father of Dr. Felix G. Smith, was born 
near Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1821, and came to 
Scotland County, Missouri, in 1848. His father, David G. Smith, came from 
the same county in Kentucky to Missouri in 1850 and joined his son, Her- 
cules, in a land venture in Scotland County. They entered a large tract 
of land, and were successful operators of these large farms all their lives. 
At his death in 1898 in Scotland County, Hercules Smith held more than 
500 acres of land near Memphis, Missouri. Hercules Smith was married 
to Mary Ellen Leeman of Hardin County, Kentucky, who died in 1891. 
Her remains are buried in the Baptist Church Cemetery in Miller Township, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 575 

and the remains of her husband are buried in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Cemetery. To their union the following children were born: Matilda, the 
wife of John L. Drake of Lancaster, Missouri ; Elizabeth, died at the age 
of twenty-one years; Mollie, wife of E. M. Giles of Ridgeway, Missouri; 
Thomas J., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, 
Iowa, and of the Ensworth Medical College at St. Joseph, and now located 
in Long Beach, California; Sarah EUza, wife of James Colvin of Mary- 
ville, Missouri; Felix G., the subject of this sketch; Nancy, wife of Shad- 
rach Bridges of Decatur, Illinois; W. L., formerly in the drug business at 
Maysville, then at McFall, and now in the same business at Albany, Mis- 
souri; America, married to Ambrose Dunagan, a druggist of Ridgeway, 
Missouri; John Chilton, mention of whom appears later in this review; 
and Charlotte, the widow of Richard Watkins of Alliance, Nebraska. 

Dr. John Chilton Smith is a graduate of the Ensworth Medical College 
of St. Joseph and is a registered pharmacist by examination. He clerked 
for a brother in Grant City for a few years, but since 1885 he has owned 
and conducted a drug store on the west side of the square at Albany. Here 
he keeps a full line of drugs and does a good business. He does office 
practice in connection with his work in the store. He is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge and of the Redmen. 

Felix G. Smith, the subject of this sketch, is a graduate of the Ens- 
worth Medical College at St. Joseph. He is a man of varied and interest- 
ing experiences. He began to teach school in 1872, and taught his last 
school in Worth County in 1879. He then entered the drug business at 
Denver, Missouri, w^here he remained one year. He then went into the 
drug business at Grant City, remained there three years, and entered the 
same business at Albany, where he remaind another three years. For the 
past thirty-three years he has lived in Befhany, and until nine years ago, 
he conducted a drug business there in connection with which he did office 
practice much of the time ; the past nine years he had spent in California. 

Dr. Smith owns one of the good business buildings of Bethany, and is 
proud of his town and county. 

The Smith family was accustomed to holding family reunions each 
year for several years prior to the death of the mother. There are ten 
of the family still living, the youngest being past sixty-two years of age 
and the oldest more than seventy-seven years old. They are a long-lived 
family. The great-grandfather, James Smith, of Hardin County, Ken- 
tucky, lived to be 107 years of age. 



576 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The Smiths have always been prominent Democrats, all four of the 
Smith brothers having taken active parts in democratic party politics in 
northwest Missouri. In the Congressional Convention held at Plattsburg, 
Missouri, three of the brothers wei'e present and each supported a diiTerent 
candidate. Dr. Felix G. Smith was allied with the supporters of T. A. 
Dunn, a banker of Bethany; Dr. J. C. Smith was equally ardent in his 
support of Ed Ayleshire of Stanberry; and Dr. T. J. Smith upheld the 
cause of "Toot" Hudson of Grant City. Each of the brothers stood by 
his candidate until the question was settled by the nomination of John 
Daugherty. At the Democratic State Convention at Sedalia in 1892, Dr. 
Felix G. Smith was elected an alternate to the Democratic National Con- 
vention at Chicago which nominated Grover Cleveland for the presidency. 
The Doctor has entertained several prominent democrats at his home in 
Bethany. Among these were W. J. Bryan, Senator William J. Stone, R. 
P. Hobson, Gov. A. M. Dockery and many of the pleading politicians of 
the state. 

Doctor Smith was appointed to the office of county collector of 
revenues by Governor Folk in 1906 and served for a year in that capacity. 
He also served as United States pension examiner during the first term 
of Grover Cleveland's administration. His brother. Dr. T. J. Smith, served 
on the same board at Grant City at the special request of the old soldiers 
of Worth County. Dr. F. G. Smith is a member of the Masonic order and 
of the Knights of Pythias. He served as chancellor commander of the 
Knights of Pythias for two years and was very efficient in his work. 
Families such as that founded by Hercules Smith have been influential in 
moulding the destiny of the county and the state. It is particularly 
fitting that in a volume of this character due honor be given to such men. 



John Barber, of Eagleville, has been prominently identified with 
Harrison County for many years, and is a member of one of the very 
early pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born in Lick- 
ing County, Ohio. December 25, 1842, a son of Aquilla C. and Ellen 
(Kerr) Barber. 

Aquilla C. Barber was born in Washington D. C, and was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. He saw Lafayette, when that distinguished soldier 
visited Washington, D. C. Aquilla Barber was a son of Bernard Barber, 
who was a native of Washington D. C. and served in the Continental 
Army during the Revolutionary War. He was of Scotch descent and 
spent his life in Washington D. C. 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 577 

Aquilla Barber moved to Ohio in an early day and while living in 
that state, he followed farming and was also interested in boating and 
teaming. He hauled salt across the Alleghany Mountains to Washing- 
ton, D. C, and Baltimore. In 1885 he came to Missouri v/ith his family 
and settled in Harrison County northeast of Eagleville. He pre-empted 
some land, homesteaded some and bought some. He engaged in farming 
and also conducted a store at Eagleville for a number of years and was 
engaged in business here at the time of his death, January 20, 1864, at 
the age of seventy-five years. Ellen (Kerr) Barber was a native of 
Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. She died at Eaglesvillc in 1887, at 
the age of eighty-one years, and she and her husband are buried in what 
is known as the West Cemetery, at Eagleville. They were the parents 
of the following, who grew to maturity: Elizabeth, deceased; Andrew, 
Kansas City, Missouri; John, the subject of this sketch; Justus, died 
in the Union Army during the Civil War; Martha, married Samuel V. 
McHenry, who is now deceased, and she lives at Hiawatha, Kansas; and 
Wheeler, Sprott, Missouri. 

John Barber was about thirteen years old when the family came to 
Missouri, in 1855. They drove through from Ohio to Harrison County 
with two teams and brought with them a buggy which was the first 
vehicle of the kind in this section of Missouri. Mr. Barber recalls that 
when he was a boy and drove his mother to church that the other boys 
would make fun of him for riding in a buggy. Everybody in those days 
drove to church with ox-teams and heavy wagons. 

John Barber attended the early day subscription school, and was 
living on the home farm with his parents when the Civil War broke out. 
He enlisted at Bethany, August 3, 18G1, and he and his brother Andrew 
and John Hagerty, were the first soldiers to be sworn in as members of 
"Merrill's Horse." This organization later became the 2nd Regiment, Mis- 
souri Cavalry. Mr. Barber took part in a number of engagements with 
his regiment and after a term of service Avas discharged on account of 
disability. As soon as he regained his health he enlisted in Company 
E, 16th Kansas Cavalry. He served with that command until the close 
of the war and then went on an expedition with his regiment against 
hostile Indians in the West. He was first sergeant of his company and 
the oflScer in command while on this expedition in Wyoming and other 



(32) 



578 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

sections of the West. He was discharged from the service at Fort Lea- 
venworth, Kansas, December 6, 1865. 

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Barber returned to Eagle- 
ville and engaged in farming and stock raising. He was one of the first 
successful Shorthorn Stock raisers in this section. He also raised Norman 
horses and Poland China hogs. His farm is located in Colfax Town- 
ship, two miles from Eagleville, and consists of 220 acres of valuable 
land. He was successfully engaged in fanning here until 1900, and still 
owns his home place. 

In 1900 Mr. Barber assisted in organizing the Citizens Bank og Eagle- 
ville, becoming its first cashier and served in that capacity until 1908. 
This bank was organized with a capital stock of $10,000. George A. 
Powell who was the first president still holds that position. G. D. Cramer 
has been vice-president since the bank was organized. J. C. Barber 
succeeded his father as cashier in 1908, and served in that capacity until 
November 1919, and since that time J. C. Thompson has been cashier 
of the bank. The bank owns its own building which is a substantial 
brick structure and the furniture and fixtures are modern and con- 
veniently arranged for the banking business. Mr. Barber is still interested 
in the bank and is one of the heaviest stock holders, he and Mrs. Barber 
owning $10,500 worth of the bank's stock. This is one of the substantial 
banking institutions of Harrison County and has had a successful career. 

Mr. Barber is now and has been for years extensively engaged in 
the private loan business. He has perhaps handled more estates as 
administrator and executor than any other man in Harrison County. 

Mr. Barber was first married in 1862, to Elizabeth J. Poynter, and 
two children were born to that marriage, Mrs. Ella Oaks, of Colfax 
Township, and George W., who died in infancy. Mr. Barber's first wife 
died on June 29, 1868, and March 2, 1870, he was married to Martha 
S. Poynter, a sister of his first wife. She was bom near Eagleville, 
September 29, 1851, a daughter of Thomas H. and Susan A. (Jenks) 
Poynter, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. They 
came here when young with their respective parents. 

Thomas H. Poynter was a son of John Poynter, who came from 
Kentucky to Harrison County with his family in 1840. He was a slave 
owner in Kentucky and after coming to Harrison County he homesteaded 
government land near Eagleville and spent the remainder of his life 
here. He died in 1865, and his wife died in 1863, and they are buried in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 579 

the Masonic Cemetery at Eagleville. Susan A. Jenks was born in 
Ohio, a daughter of Ichabod Jenks, who came from Ohio to Missouri 
with his family in 1841 and first settled at Chillicothe. In 1842 they 
came to Harrison County and took up government land in the vicinity of 
Eagleville. 

Thomas H. Poynter, was engaged in farming for a number of years 
and in 1855 he engaged in the mercantile business at Eagleville and was 
in business there for a number of years. He was postmaster at Eagle- 
ville during the Civil War and for some years afterward. He died in 
1878, at the age of fifty-three years. His widow survived him for a 
number of years and died in 1918, at the age of ninty-years. Their remains 
are buried in the Masonic Cemetery at Eagleville. They were the parents 
of ten children of whom Mrs. Barber and Thomas M. Poynter of Atchison, 
Kansas are the only ones living. 

To John Barber and wife have been born two children: Grace M., 
married Amos Smith, Santa Jose, California; and J. C, who is engaged 
in the loan business at Eagleville, married Chloe Robertson, daughter 
of Dr. C. H. Robertson of Eagleville. 

Mr. Barber has been a life long Republican and has always taken an 
active part in public affairs. He served as township clerk and assessor for 
ten years and in 1890, was elected judge of the county court and re- 
elected to that oftice at the expiration of his first term, serving two terms. 
He is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 257, Eagleville, having been 
made a mason in 1873, and has served as master of that lodge for ten 
years. He and Mrs. Barber are members of the Christian Church. Mr. 
Barber is one of Harrison Counties most highly respected and substantial 
citizens and he and Mrs. Barber stand high in the community. 



Virgil Emerson Yates was bom in Flag Springs, Andrew County, 
Missouri, October 5, 1878, and is the son of John Leslie Yates, deceased, 
and Mattie (Emerson) Yates, both native Kentuckians. 

John Leslie Yates was the son of Weeden Smith Yates and Ermin 
Ella (Roberts) Yates, of Barren County, Kentucky. Weeden Smith Yates 
was a descendant of Capt. John Strother, of Culpeper County, Virginia, 
who served in the French and Indian wars, and who served on the Com- 
mittee of Safety, Culpeper, Virginia. He was also one of the thirteen 



580 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

justices of the peace of Culpeper to sign protest against Stamp Act prior 
to the Boston Tea Party. 

Mattie Emerson Yates was the daughter of Thomas Franklin Emer- 
son and Lucy Margaret (Simpson) Emerson, of Wayne County, Kentucky. 
Thomas F. Emerson was the son of Col. Walter Emerson, a very prom- 
inent man of Wayne County, Kentucky, and who was a member of the 
Kentucky legislature, contemporary with Henry Clay. 

Virgil Emerson Yates moved, when a boy, with his parents to King 
City, Missouri, and attended the school at that place, where he was 
graduated from the high school in 1895. Entered Gem City Business 
College at Quincy, 111., in 1896 and was graduated in 1897. 

In 1892 he started the printer's trade. He worked in King City, 
Pattonsburg and Union Star during vacations and until 1898. He came 
to Bethany March 28th. He was employed on the Democrat with John 
A. and William T. Templeman. He went to St. Joseph in 1905 and was 
with the Combe Printing Company in capacity of assistant foreman and 
stock man for three years. Returned to Bethany in spring of 1909; he 
was made manager of the Bethany Printing Company and Bethany Re- 
publican on March 15, 1909. Later he became a member of the board of 
directors, secretary and treasurer of the company. 

Mr. Yates was married June 19, 1902, to Marian L. Templeman, 
daughter of William A. and Emeline (Allen) Templeman. Three sons 
were born, Leslie Allen, deceased, William Emerson and Virgil Templeman. 

He is a member of Mahaska Lodge No. 205, Knights of Pythias, 
Miriam Lodge No. 129, I. 0. O. F., Bethany Encampment No. 35, I. 0. 

0. F., Oak Camp No. 37, W. 0. W. He has passed through the chairs in 

1. 0. 0. F. orders. He was elected chairman of Hamson County Chapter 
American Red Cross at its organization in 1917 and still chairman. 



G. C. Zingerle, the well known manager of the Miner and Free Lum- 
ber Company, at Bethany, Missouri, is a native of Ohio. He was bom in 
Cincinnati, a son of Christopher and Rose (Brenner) Zingerle, the former 
a native of France and the latter of Germany and both now deceased. 
They spent their lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and died there. 

G. C. Zingerle was reared and educated in Cincinnati and when seven- 
teen years old began life as a telegraph operator with the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad. He remained with that company for six years, becoming 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 581 

chief train dispatcher at Indianapolis, Indiana, on the Indianapohs-Chi- 
cago division and later went to Cincinnati. In 1897, he came to Trenton, 
Missouri, as train dispatcher for the Chicago-Rock Island and Pacific. In 
1914 he entered the employ of the Miner and Frees Lumber Company and 
worked in their yard at Blythedale, Missouri. In 1917, he was made man- 
ager of the company's yards at Bethany and has held that position until 
the present time. 

Mr. Zingei-le was married in September, 1909, to Miss Shirley Miner, 
a daughter of E. S. Miner of Bethany. They have one child, Elizabeth. 

Mr. Zingerle is a Knights Templar Mason and belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias Lodg-e. He has been president of the Bethany Chamber of 
Commerce since December, 1920. 



E. Newton Carter, the well known county superintendent of schools 
of Harrison County is recognized as one of the capable and efficient public 
officers of this county. He was born in Sherman Township, Harrison 
County, October 31, 1892, a son of T. C. and Charlotte (Fergus) Carter. 

The Carter family is one of the pioneer families of Harrison County. 
T. C. Carter was a son of Thomas Carter who was one of the first settlers 
in the south part of the county. T. C. Carter was born in Cypress Town- 
ship, May 12, 1852 and was successfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising in this county for a number of years. He died in February, 1919. 
His remains are buried in Dale Cemetery. His widow now resides with 
her daughter, Mrs. Laura Decker, in Bethany Township. 

To T. C. Carter and wife were born the following children: Mrs. 
Laura Decker, Bethany Township; Mrs. Myrtle Morris, Bethany Town- 
ship; F. S., who has served in the United States Navy for the past sixteen 
years and is now connected with that branch of service, lives at Charles- 
ton, Massachusetts; and E. Newton, the subject of this sketch. 

E. Newton Carter received his preliminary education in the district 
schools and the Bethany High School from which he graduated in the 
class of 1915. He then attended the State Teachers College at Mary- 
ville, Missouri, and the University of Missouri. He also taught school at 
intervals during the course of his educational career and was engaged in 
teaching when the United States entered the World War. 

Mr. Carter entered the United States army July 24, 1918 and was 
sent to Camp Funston for training where he was assigned to the Medical 



582 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Corps of the 10th Division. After two months at Camp Funston he was 
transferred to Detroit, Michigan. While there he was detailed to take 
cars to Holabird, Maryland. From there he went to Wabash, Indiana and 
took a number of trucks from there to camp Holabird. He then went to 
Valparaiso, Indiana, and from there transferred equipment to camp Hola- 
bird. He remained in the service until January 31, 1919, when he re- 
ceived his honorable discharge. 

On April 1, 1919, Mr. Carter was elected County Superintendent of 
Schools of Harrison County and is now serving in that capacity. He is 
an able school man and the public schools of Harrison County are making 
notable progress under his administration. There are 196 teachers and 
5,292 pupils enrolled in Harrison County and there are ten high schools 
within the borders of this county. 

Mr. Carter is a member of the Order of Independent Odd Fellows 
and the American Legion. He served as Post Commander of the Legion 
in 1920. 



Joseph B. McClure, the well known county treasurer of Harrison 
County, is a native of this county and is a descendant of a pioneer family 
of Missouri. He was born in Bethany, July 19, 1882, a son of Frank and 
Clementine (Osmon) McClure. Clementine Osmon was a native of Har- 
rison County, her parents being very early settlers here who came from 
Indiana at an early date. They were natives of Ohio. 

Frank McClure was a son of Jacob B. McClure and was a native of 
Ohio. Jacob McClure was an early settler in Missouri. He came to this 
state with his family and first located in Grundy County and for a number 
of years operated a mill on Grand River in that county. From Grundy 
County he came to Harrison County and settled at Bethany and bought 
the old mill which was located here. He improved it and put in rolls 
and was the first man to operate a modern flour mill in this locality. He 
also operated a carding machine and manufactured yam here for a num- 
ber of years. Jacob McClure and his three sons, Andy, Sparks and Frank, 
conducted the business in partnership during the lifetime of the father 
and after his death the three brothers continued in business together for 
a number of years. Two of the brothers are now deceased and the sur- 
vivor now resides in Daviess County, Missouri. Frank McClure died on 
April 11, 1892. 

Joseph B. McClure is one of three children now living who were bom 
to his parents as follows: Joseph B., the subject of this sketch; Beulah, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 583 

married O. T. Egerton and they live at Fairview, Oklahoma and Don V., 
of Bethany, Missouri. 

Joseph B. McClure was reared in Bethany and received his education 
in the public schools. He was first employed in compiling a set of abstract 
books of Harrison County by I. E. Nelson. This complete set of abstract 
books is now the property of the Bethany Trust Company. Mr. McCIure 
began his career as a public officer as city collector of Bethany, having 
been elected for a term of three years. He was appointed city clerk and 
served in that capacity for nine years. He then received the nomination 
for county treasurer in 1916 and was elected and after serving a term of 
four years he was re-elected to that office in the fall of 1920 and is now 
serving in that capacity. Mr. McClure is a Republican and since early 
manhood he has taken an active part in political matters. He has a wide 
acquaintance over Harrison County and stands high in this section of the 
state. 

On June 10, 1914 Joseph B. McClure was united in marriage with 
Miss Daisy E. Bender of Bethany, Missouri. She is a daughter of Robert 
Bender, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. McClure have been born two 
children: Margaret and Max. 

Mr. McClure is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and he and Mrs. McClure are members of 
the Methodist Church. 



C. C. Ross, a well known and successful attorney of Bethany, Mis- 
souri, is a native of Harrison County. He was born October 24, 1881 
and is a son of S. M. and Lou (Pettit) Ross, the former a native of Gentry 
County, Missouri, and the latter of Ohio. They now live in Harrison 
County, near Bethany. 

To S. M. Ross and wife were born the following children: R. R., 
Lorimor, Iowa; Hettie; C. C, the subject of this sketch and F. F., Bethany, 
Missouri. 

C. C. Ross received his education in the public schools and for three 
years was a successful teacher in Harrison County. He then began work 
as a jeweler and watchmaker and followed that vocation at Carrolton, 
and Maryville, Missouri. He then engaged in the jewelry business at 
Cainsville, Missouri, for himself and successfully carried on business there 
for about ten years. In 1917 he came to Bethany where he has since 



584 HISTOEY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

owned the jewelry store known as the Gift Shop. This is one of the high 
class mercantile establishments of Bethany and a valuable stock of 
watches, jewelry, cut-glass, stationery and kindred articles are handled. 

When Mr. Ross lived at Cainsville he took up the study of law and at 
the same time conducted his jewelry business. He applied himself to the 
study of law with systematic persistency, devoting four hours each day to 
the pursuit of his legal studies. After four years he took the bar exam- 
ination and was admitted before the Supreme Court of Missouri, July 3, 
1916. About a year later, upon coming to Bethany, he took up the prac- 
tice of law and has met with marked success. He is recognized as an able 
lawyer and is an untiring student of his profession. 

Mr. Ross was married in 1893 to Miss Atta Ragan of Ridgeway, Mis- 
souri. She is a daughter of 0. P. Ragan, who is a well known business 
man of Ridgeway. To Mr. and Mrs. Ross has been bom one child, Owen, 
who is a student in the Bethany public schools. 

Mr. Ross is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in political 
affairs. While a resident of Cainsville he served as mayor of that town, 
and during his administration the big coal strike took place there. As 
mayor of Cainsville, Mr. Ross took a positive stand for the law enforce- 
ment against the illegal sale of liquor and accomplished satisfactory re- 
sults along that line. He was a candidate for prosecuting attorney on 
the Democratic ticket and was defeated by only 116 votes. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of 
Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors and the Order of 
the Eastern Star. 



Jacob Foreman, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Hamilton 
Township, is the owner of 200 acres of land which he has improved. 
He belongs to a family that settled in this county before the days of 
the Civil War, when it required foresight and fortitude to take up life 
in the sparsely settled districts. Mr. Foreman was born in Harrison 
County, April 22, 1860, the son of James H. and Elizabeth (Bennett) 
Foreman. 

James H. Foreman was born in Butler County, Ohio, August 19, 1819, 
and was a farmer all of his life. He came from Bartholomew County, 
Indiana, in 1856, and located in Union Township in Harrison County. He 
sold his farm there in 1868, and moved to the farm now owned by his 
son, the subject of this sketch. Here he built a small frame house and 




JAMES H. FOREMAN 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 585 

made other improvements. 'His nearest market was St. Joseph and it 
required a week to make the trip there and back. Mr. Foreman was 
married to Elizabelsii Bennett, born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, 
February 28, 1831. She died February 25, 1889, and her husband died 
on the home farm. May 15, 1899. The remains of both are buried in 
the Masonic Cemetery at Eagleville. To their union nine children were 
born, seven of whom are still living: John H., of Beaver County, Olvlahoma; 
Barbara, married to C. B. Little of Hamilton Township ; Jacob, the 
subject of this review; Mary Elizabeth, nov/ Mrs. Copeland of Chase 
County, Kansas ; Angeline, marrieii to Robert Seives of Cottonwood Falls, 
Kansas ; Danie, who keeps house for her brother, Jacob ; and Nancy, 
married to Fred Monroe of Hutchinson, Kansas. 

James H. Foreman was a veteran of the Civil Wai'. He enlisted at 
Eagleville in Company F, 3rd Missouri Regiment, and remained in service 
for three years. He was wounded while in cavalry service by a horse 
which fell on him. Mr. Foreman was a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic Post and was an adherent of the Methodist Church. He 
was one of the substantial men of his community. 

Jacob Foreman attended the district schools and grew up on a 
farm. He has operated a farm ever since he began working for himself. 
He bought the estate of his father and is now conducting it as a general 
farm. Mr. Foreman is a republican in politics. He is a reliable man who 
has been successful in his work. 



Dr. A. H. Vandivert, a prominent physician of Bethany, Missouri, 
has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Harrison 
County for over forty-one years and is a member of one of the pioneer 
families of this section of Missouri. Doctor Vandivert is a native of 
Ohio, born in Muskingum County, April 6, 1853, a son of Dr. Robert Henry 
and Agnes (Berry) Vandivert, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the 
mother being of Quaker descent. 

Dr. Robert Henry Vandivert was one of the pioneer physicians of 
Harrison County. Upon locating in this state, he settled in Harrison 
County just south of Bethany, where he was engaged in the practice of 
his profession. He not only was widely known as a successful physician 
but was prominent in politics and stood high in the councils of the Repub- 
lican party. In 1860 he was the presiding officer at the first Republican 



586 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Convention held in Harrison County. An unusual coincident in this con- 
nection is that his brother, S. S. Vandivert, who was a Douglas Democrat, 
was the presiding officer at the Democratic Convention held in Harrison 
Countj' the same year. 

Dr. Robert Henry Vandivert was honored at various times with offices 
of trust and responsibility and served two terms in the Missouri State 
Senate and was recognized as one of the leaders of that body. Both times 
that he was a candidate for the State Senate he received every vote in 
Salem Township, a fact which speaks in unmistakable terms of what his 
neighbors who knew him best thought of him. He died at Bethany, in 
March, 1887, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife preceeded him in 
death a number of years, having departed this life in 1858, at about the 
age of forty years. 

Dr. A. H. Vandivert was one of four children born to his parents who 
grew to maturity as follows: J. W., who was an attorney and died at 
Bethany at about the age of twenty-five years; Dr. A. H., the subject of 
this sketch ; Arthur H., who was a chemist is now deceased and Judge 
S. W., of Bethany, Missouri. After the death of his first wife the father 
was again married and to that union was born one child, Mrs. B. M. 
Reinick. Professor Reinick is now the head of the Department of Mathe- 
matics of the Kansas Agriculture College at Manhattan, Kansas. 

Dr. A. H. Vandivert was educated in the public schools of Harrison 
County and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan and was 
graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Michigan 
with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1877. He first engaged in the 
practice of medicine at Eagleville, and in 1880 located at Bethany. He 
has been engaged in the practice here continually since that time except 
when he served as physician at State Hospital for the Insane, No. 2, at 
St. Joseph, Missouri. He has always enjoyed a large practice and for a 
number of years has been recognized as one of the able and successful 
physicians and surgeons of northwestern Missouri. 

Doctor Vandivert was first married in June, 1878, to Miss Rosa Tem- 
pleman of Bethany, Missouri. She died in February, 1880, leaving one 
daughter, Bessie Agnes, who is a prominent teacher in Seattle, Wash- 
ington, having taught Home Economics for several years and now teaches 
Americanization. In 1886, Doctor Vandivert was married to Emma 
Buckles of Madison County, Illinois, and to that union three children were 
born as follows : Robert H. died at the age of twenty-two years ; Dr. 
W. W., and one who died in infancy. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 587 

Dr. W. W. Vandivert received his medical education at the University 
Medical College of Kansas City, where he was graduated in 1913 with a 
degree of Doctor of Medicine, and since that time has been engaged in 
the practice at Bethany. He has won a well merited reputation as a suc- 
cessful physician and surgeon and stands high in his profession and in 
the community. 

Dr. A. H. Vandivert has always been a Republican and takes a keen 
interest in political matters. He holds membership in the Knights of 
Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of 
the Christian Church. 



Andrew Cumming, vice-president of the Harrison County Bank of 
Bethany, Missouri, was for many years successfully engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Bethany but is now living retired. Mr. Cumming is a 
native of Scotland and was born in 1841 in Dalkeith, Parrish, about six 
miles from Edinborough. His father died in his native land when com- 
paratively a young man, and in 1852 the mother came to America with 
the family of whom Andrew, the subject of this sketch was the youngest. 
They settled in Pennsylvania and in 1858 Andrew Cumming and his mother 
removed to Illinois. In 1877, they came to Missouri and he settled at 
Bethany. 

After coming to this county, Andrew Cumming engaged as clerk in 
a store for about a year. He was then in the mercantile business with 
Mr. Bryant about two years, when he entered a partnership with Mr. 
Wren, under the firm name of Wren and Cumming. They did an extensive 
mercantile business until 1893 when Mr. Cumming retired from the mer- 
cantile business and since that time has devoted his attention to his vari- 
ous other interests. He was one of the organizers of the Harrison County 
Bank and has been vice-president of that institution since its organization. 
He is the owner of farm land in Harrison County and is recognized as one 
of the successful men of affairs of this county. He was superintendent 
of construction at the building of the county home. 

Mr. Cumming was married in Illinois in 1866 to Miss Isabelle T. 
Brown, a native of Pennsylvania but at the time of her marriage a resident 
of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have been born two children, as 
follows: Mrs. Charles A. Sherer, of Bethany, Missouri, and Alexander 
S., a well known and successful attorney of Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. Cumming is one of the substantial citizens of Harrison County 



588 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and is highly respected in the community. Mrs. Gumming and daughter 
are members of the Methodist Church. He was a member of the building 
committee when the M. E. Church was built. 



W. H. Shumard, a well known and successful produce dealer of Beth- 
any, Missouri is a native of Harrison County and a member of one of the 
pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born in Jefferson 
Township, March 4, 1877, a son of Henry and Amanda (Trotter) Shumard. 

Henry Shumard is a son of Rev. Thomas Shumard who was a pioneer 
Methodist preacher of Harrison County, who came here from Cambridge, 
Ohio and settled in Jefferson Township in 1856 and homesteaded govern- 
ment land in Jefferson Township. He reared a family of fourteen chil- 
dren, seven boys and seven girls. He was not only prominent as a pioneer 
minister and well known throughout this section of the state but he also 
had a successful business career and accumulated large land holdings and 
at the time each of his sons became of age he gave each of them forty acres 
of land. He died in 1882 and his wife departed this life in 1876 and their 
remains are buried in Morris Chapel Cemetery. Three of their sons, 
William, John and Frank, served in the Union army during the Civil War. 
Henry Shumard was engaged in farming until 1901 and since that time 
he and his wife have lived in Bethany. 

W. H. Shumard is one of a family of iive children born to his par- 
ents, four of whom are now living, as follows: Mrs. Judge Burgen, 
Bethany, Missouri; W. H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Charles Edson, 
Bethany; and Mrs. R. V. McColIum, Oskaloosa, Iowa. Murtle B. died at 
the age of two years. W. H. Shumard was reared on the home farm in 
Jefferson Township and was educated in the pubhc schools and the Stan- 
berry Normal School. He taught school for two years in Harrison County 
and then engaged in farming in Jefferson Township. He bought a farm 
from his father and followed farming until 1909, when he engaged in the 
produce business in Bethany and since that time, with the exception of 
two years, he has carried on business at the corner of Eighteenth and 
Main streets. He handles flour, feed, seeds, poultry, hides and fur and 
does an extensive business and has won a wide reputation and his many 
patrons by fair dealing and honest methods. 

Mr. Shumard was first married November 21, 1897 to Miss Ethel 
Beeks who died February 1, 1912 leaving one son, Charles C, who gradu- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 589 

ated in the class of 1921 at the University of Missouri in the Civil 
Engineering course and is now engaged in his profession in Chicago, Illi- 
nois. On August 17, 1916, Mr. Shumard was married to Mrs. Guyman, 
widow of the late F. W. Guyman. By her former marriage Mrs. Shumard 
has two children, Harold and Leah Guyman. 

Mr. Shumard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of which he is Past Grand, Past Chief Patriarch and is now District 
Deputy. He also holds membership in the American Yoeman and the 
Modern Woodman of America. He is a member of the Methodist Church 
and is a Republican and has served as township clerk and assessor in 
Jefferson Township and Bethany. He is one of the progressive and enter- 
prising citizens of Harrison County. 



W. H. Cruzan, of Bethany, Missouri, has been a resident of Harrison 
County for over forty-two years and for several years has conducted a 
private sanitarium in Bethany where he has devoted himself to the treat- 
ment of cancer and is widely known throughout the country for his suc- 
cessful treatment of this disease. He is a son of Dr. R. Johnathan and 
Martha E. (Evans) Cruzan, the former a native of Kentucky and the 
latter of Indiana, 

Dr. Johnathan Cruzan removed from his native Kentucky to Indiana 
with his parents when he was about eight years old. He was reared in 
Indiana and after receiving a good preparatory education, he entered the 
Cincinnati Medical College and was graduated from that institution with 
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Shortly after graduating he went to 
Wisconsin. Soon after he removed to Fayette County, Iowa, and was a 
pioneer physician of that section. He built the first house in West Union, 
Iowa and later removed to Brush Creek and from there to Mt. Moriah. 
Missouri. He was a successful doctor and practicing his profession for 
over thirty years. For many years he specialized in the treatment of 
cancer in which he was eminently successful. During the course of his 
professional career he made exhaustive research along the line of his 
chosen specialty and developed a formula which has proven to be remark- 
ably successful in the treatment of this disease. This is the sam.e formula 
which his son W. H. Cruzan has used with such success on hundreds of 
patients during the past few years. Dr. Johnathan Cruzan died at Har- 
lan, Iowa and is buried there and his wife died at Mount Moriah, Missouri 



590 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and her remains are buried there. They were the parents of four children, 
the only survivor of whom is W. H. Cruzan whose name introduces this 
sketch. There was one brother who was a Congregational minister and 
two sisters. 

W. H. Cruzan is a native of Wisconsin and when he was about ten 
months old the family removed to Iowa and was reared and educated in 
that state. In 1879 he came to Harrison County, Missouri, and engaged 
in farming and stock raising and for a number of years was one of the 
most extensive stock raisers in this section. He removed to Bethany in 
1900 and still continues his interest in fanning although not on such an 
extensive scale as in former years. 

Since locating in Bethany, Mr. Cruzan has been engaged in the treat- 
ment of cancer as above stated. He treats cases from all over the country 
and maintains a private sanitarium at Bethany for that purpose. Patients 
here are under the care of a regular practicing physician. 

Mr. Cruzan was married September 8, 1867 to Miss Ellen Mary Etta 
Liggett, a native of Buchanon County, Iowa. Four children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Cruzan, as follows : John Archie, a farmer in -Jeffer- 
son Township ; Mary Ellen, married Orrin Clinkinberd and they live twelve 
miles east of Bethany; Albert, a teacher and osteopathic physician, Colo- 
rado Springs, Colorado ; Evelyn, who is now engaged in teaching at Beth- 
any, Missouri. 

Mr. Cruzan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Christian Church. He has served two terms as mayor of Bethany, 
having served the unexpired term of Charles Williams and was elected to 
that office at the expiration of that term. The Cruzan residence is a splen- 
did modern structure and is located on a tract of four and one-half acres 
in the south part of the city. 



George W. Myers, a Civil War veteran now living retired at Bethany, 
has been identified with Harrison County for over seventy years and is a 
member of one of the early pioneer families of this county. He was born 
in Decatur County, Indiana, October 31, 1844, a son of Abraham and Mary 
(Bryant) Myers, both natives of Kentucky. 

Abraham Myers came to Missouri in 1850. driving through the entire 
distance with a team and wagon. He brought his family with him and 
settled in Adams Township, Harrison County, and there spent the re- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 591 

mainder of his life in farming and stock raising. He died July 30, 1888, 
aged seventy-six years, three months and three days, and his wife died 
September 24, 1900 at the advanced age of eighty-two years, seven months 
and twenty days. They were the parents of fourteen children, two of 
whom died in infancy and four are now living as follows: George W., 
the subject of this sketch; John H., who served in the Union army in the 
Civil War and novv' lives at Bentonville, Arkansas ; Mary, married Charles 
A. Eads, Bentonville, Arkansas; and Sarah Ellen married Leon Powell, 
Buffalo, Oklahoma. 

George W. Myers was educated in the schools at Trenton, Missouri 
and St. Joseph. In 1862, when he was about eighteen years old, he 
enlisted in Company F, 3rd Regiment, Provisional State Troops and served 
with his command in western Missouri. In 1864 he enlisted in Company 
E, 43rd Regiment, Missouri Voluntary Infantry. During an engagement 
at Glasgow. Missouri, against Price's Confederate forces he was wounded 
which resulted in the loss of an arm. He was one of six hundred soldiers 
who were taken prisoners by the Confederates under the command of 
Clark and Shelby. Shortly afterwards he was discharged from the service 
on account of disability, although he remained with his regiment until 
spring and did considerable scout duty after he had lost his arm. 

After returning from the army Mr. Myers taught school for a time 
when he was appointed deputy county recorder. He served for several 
years in that capacity, during the administrations of two county recorders. 
In 1868 he was elected county treasurer and at the expiration of his first 
term he was reelected to that office. In 1876 he engaged in farming, re- 
maining on his farm until 1908. He then removed to Bethany where he 
has since resided. He has various interests in Harrison County and is a 
stock holder in the Bethany Trust Company. 

Mr. Myers was married December 15, 1868 to Caroline Rupe, a native 
of Indiana who came to Harrison County with her parents at a very early 
date when she was a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born ten 
children as follows: Warren D., a carpenter who is also engaged in farm- 
ing in Harrison County ; Wallace, a carpenter at Lamar, Colorado ; Walter, 
Richmond, Kansas; William A.. St. Joseph, Missouri; Wilbert W., drug- 
gist, Bethany ; Nona May, married George W. Wells, Bethany ; Daisy, mar- 
ried Albert W. McKee, Santa Ana, California; Mary, married John S. 
Graves, Olney, Illinois; Myrtle, married Dennis York, Cherokee, Okla- 
homa; and Edna, married Joe Miller, Clovis, California. 



592 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Wilbert W. Myers is a veteran of World War. He entered service in 
1917 and was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, a member of the 89th 
Division in the infantry. Was in St. Mihiel drive and was finally trans- 
ferred to headquarters in Paris and was there when armistice was signed. 
He v/as slightly gassed. He was taken from the front on account of 
sickness and then served at headquarters. 

George W. Myers is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic 
and is a Democrat. He holds membership in the Christian Church and is 
one of Harrison County's most highly esteemed citizens. 



Henry Wilson, deceased, was born in Perry County, Ohio, March 
28, 1839. His parents were James and Nancy (Good) Wilson. They 
had a large family of which Henry Wilson, the subject of this sketch, 
was the fourth child born. 

James and Nancy (Good) Wilson were natives of Ohio. They lived 
on a farm in that state until after the Civil War when they moved to 
Iowa where they settled in Marion County. There Mr. Wilson died. His 
wife died years later in Colorado. 

Henry Wilson was reared on a farm and worked as a farmer m 
Ohio until the turbulent days of the Civil War. He enlisted for service 
in the army as a "hundred day" man, enrolling May 2, 1864, and serv- 
ing until August 24, 1864, when he was discharged. He was a member 
of Company F, 151st, Ohio National Guards. After his term of service was 
over he returned to his home and farmed there until he moved to Clark 
County, Illinois, where he began work in a saw mill. Later he went to 
Missouri, where he settled on a farm near Chillicothe. where he remained 
until 1970, when he came with his family to the practically unsettled ter- 
ritory of Harrison County. About 1874, he bought the present Wilson 
farm of 200 acres in Clay Township and began at once to make the 
extensive i;iiprovements that enhanced the value of the land. This was 
a policy continued by Mr. Wilson all of his life. He had the farsighted 
business acumen that sees the necessity of building up the land that 
is expected to yield a good return. 

Mr. Wilson was married January 15, 1859, to Malinda Powell, born 
in Monongalia County, West Virginia, November 30, 1841, the daughter 
of John and Rebecca (Wilson) Powell, early settlers of Knox County, 
Ohio, where Mrs. Wilson was reared. To the union of Henry and Malinda 




MR. AND .MRS. HENRY WILSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 593 

(Powell) Wilson ten children were born: Mary, deceased, was married 
to Nathaniel Seymore ; Charles T., a resident of Oakland, California ; John 
M., a blacksmith, now living at Akron ; James H., deceased, Luther 0., 
living at home and conducting the home farm in Clay Township ; Howard 
M., a blacksmith at Pleasanton, Iowa; Ella R., married to Harry Thomas 
of Colorado; Minnie B., wife of Green Hawk, Decatur County, Iowa; 
Ellis E., operating the J. A. Jeffries farm in Clay Township; and Cora L., 
wife of Everett Arnold. Mrs. Wilson has thirty grandchildren and four- 
teen great grandchildren- 
Henry Wilson died January 5, 1919. His widow now owns the home 
place of 200 acres in Clay Township and also a farm of 100 acres lying 
on Grand River. Mrs. Wilson recalls the hardships and trials of the 
days when she and her husband were new-comers in the county, then a vast 
stretch of uncultivated and sparsely peopled land. The nearest market 
town was Leon, Iowa, twenty miles away and as the journey there and 
back had to be made by wagon, "going to market" was not then the 
commonplace occurrance that it is today. The life in the new country 
was hard but Mrs. Wilson says that her pride in her large family has 
well repaid her for those early struggles. 

Mr. Wilson was a democrat in his political views and was identified 
with the Methodist Church. He was a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. Mr.. Wilson was a man whom it is well to name in a 
volume such as this. His work was of the kind that forms the very 
foundation of the development of the county for upon the successful till- 
ing of the soil depends all the industrial growth of a community, and 
this Mr. Wilson did in a highly efficient manner. 



R. E. Speer, a prominent citizen of Jefferson Township who resides 
on his farm, one and three-fourths miles north of the city, has been identi- 
fied with the interests of this county, since boyhood. He was born in 
Grundy County, Missouri, seven miles north of Trenton, February 13, 
1850, a son of Robert and Margaret (Kelso) Speer, natives of Indiana. 
Robert Speer was a prominent pioneer preacher of northern Missouri, in 
the early days, and is remembered by many of the older nioneers who 
are still living. He came to Missouri, and settled in Grundy County, in 
1842, when he was about twenty-two years old. He preached the gospel 
to the early settlers in that vicinity and for seven years, he preached north 
of Chillicothe, at what is now Julia, and vicinities. He came to Harrison 
County about the time the Civil War broke out and organized the Pres- 
(33) 



594 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

byterian Church here. He organized the Mount Olive congi-egation in 
Jefferson Township. He died May 9, 1876, at the age of fifty-six years 
and twenty-five days. His wife died in 1903, at the advanced age of 
eighty-three years. They were the parents of three children as follows: 
Nancy D., married T. M. Alexander, and lives in Bethany, Missouri; 
Samuel P., who is now living retired at Trenton, Missouri ; and R. E., the 
subject of this sketch. 

R. E. Speer was about ten years old when the family settled in Har- 
rison County, and here he was reared to manhood. He began farm- 
ing one mile east of his present place and in 1889 he purchased his present 
place. He owns 155 acres, which is located conveniently near Bethany, 
and is a productive and M^ell improved farm. 

Mr. Speer was married in 1879, to Sarah Phillabam, a native of Ohio, 
who came to Harrison County, with her parents when she was a little 
girl. To Mr. and Mrs. Speer was born one daughter, the wife of Harvey 
McCollum, who lives in Jefferson Township. 

Mr. Speer is a Democrat and one of the highly respected and depend- 
able citizens of his township and county. 



George W. Barlow. — In the many years of his active practice at 
Bethany, George W. Barlow has distinguished himself for solid ability 
as a lawyer and at the same time has devoted much of his time and 
energy to the public welfare. Mr. Barlow began practice in Harrison 
County in September, 1879, and for many years has been known as one 
of the leaders of the local bar, and at the same time the community has 
often looked to his interest and support for many enterprises and move- 
ments that would advance the city and surrounding county. Among 
Missourian Republicans, Mr. Barlow has been a strong and influential 
leader and has a large acquaintance with leading members of the party 
both in the state and throughout the nation. 

George W. Barlow came to Harrison County in 1869 and to the state 
of Missouri in 1865, at which time his parents settled in Chillicothe, 
Livingston County. They were from Jackson, Ohio, where George W. 
Barlow was bom October 14, 1855. He was well educated in the public 
schools, but worked for his higher education, and after taking the normal 
course at the University of Missouri engaged in teaching school for forty 
months in Harrison County. It was through his profession as a teacher 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 595 

that he first impressed himself upon this section and came to know hun- 
dreds of people young and old. His work as a teacher was done in the 
country schools and from the means acquired through that profession he 
took up the study of law and in 1878 was graduated from the law depart- 
ment of the State University. Having finished his education and train- 
ing for his profession, Mr. Barlow returned to Bethany and in September, 
1879, formed a partnership with Thomas D. Neal as Neal & Barlow. After 
the death of Mr. Neal he formed a partnership with Judge George W. 
Wanamaker i|n 1882, and they were long regarded as the leading firm in 
Harrison Coanty. Their associations continued until the elevation of 
Judge Wanxmaker to the district bench in 1905. Since then Mr. Barlow 
has been in practice with his brother, Gilbert Barlow and the firm was 
Bai'low & Barlow from January 1, 1905, to January 1, 1914, at which time 
L. R. ICsiUtz was admitted to the firm which is now Barlow, Barlow & 
Kautz. 

Mr. Barlow entered politics as a Republican, casting his first presi- 
dential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes and for nearly forty years has 
never missed a pi-esidential election. He has been to many local conven- 
tions, was assistant sergeant-at-arms of the national convention at St. 
Louis in 1896, which nominated McKinley, was a delegate from his con- 
gi-essional district in 1908 and cast a vote for President Taft, and in 1912 
was a spectator in the national convention at Chicago and witnessed the 
turbulent scenes which marked the walkout of the progressive element of 
the party. Mr. Barlow was chairman of the committee on credentials 
in the famed Excelsior Springs District Republican Convention of 1912, 
one of the first held in the state, and one whose acts were reported as im- 
portant political news all over the country, and resulted in severe criticism. 
Mr. Barlow wrote a history of that convention from intimate knowledge 
of his inside workings and published the article in the press dispatches 
just before the meeting of the Republican leaders held in Indianapolis 
that year, and his article had an important bearing on the consultations 
in that meeting. 

As to his own public service, Mr. Barlow in the fall of 1888 was elected 
prosecuting attorney of Harrison County, and was reelected in 1890, hav- 
ing succeeded Judge W. H. Skinner in that oflSce. His administration was 
one of aggressive and efficient sei-vice, during which time he convicted 
more men for crimes than had been the record of any of his predecessors. 
Mr. Barlow traced up through Pinkerton detectives one man charged with 



596 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

rape who had crossed the Gulf of Mexico, and after getting him back to 
the Missouri courts prosecuted him and sent him to the penitentiary for 
ten years. During this term Mr. Barlow continued his partnership with 
Judge Wanamaker, who was his assistant in the office and at the close of 
his second term resumed his large private practice. For many years Mr. 
Barlow has been local attorney for the Burlington Railway and his firm 
now handles the litigation for that company. He was one of the organ- 
izers of the Grand River Coal & Coke Company of Harrison County, the 
largest corporation in the county, and is a director and attorney for the 
company. Mr. Barlow was also one of the chief stockholders and builders 
of the Heilbron Sanatorium at Bethany and is still chief stockholder and 
treasurer of the company. He and his brother built in Bethany the Bar- 
low Block in 1913, the best business building in the county. The first 
floor of this building is occupied by the Bethany Trust Company which 
Mr. Barlow assisted in organizing, and the south half of the first floor 
is leased to the trust company for twenty years. The upper floor is used 
for offices and the north half of first floor is for mercantile business. He 
is the owner of other property in the city and has one of the best resi- 
dences located in the midst of spacious grounds on Elm street, and it is 
easily one of the most attractive homes in the county. The residence 
contains ten rooms, is modern throughout, and is finished in oak and wal- 
nut, with floors of heavy oak. 

Mr. Barlow was married October 9, J 879, in Bethany to Miss Eliza- 
beth Hockridge, daughter of Nelson A. Marette (Hart) Hockridge. The 
Hockridge family formerly lived in the vicinity of Utica, New York. Mrs. 
Barlow's great-grandfather, Daniel Wherry, whose remains are buried at 
Plessis, New York, was a Revolutionary soldier from that state. Mrs. 
Barlow was the oldest child and other members of her immediate family 
are: William H., a farmer in Harrison County; and Emma, who died as 
Mrs. F. H. Nally. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow have a daughter, Mabel, wife of 
L. R. Kautz, a young lawyer of Bethany, and they have two children, 
George Barlow Kautz and Elizabeth Ruth Kautz. Mr. Barlow also has 
as a member of his family Maretta Barlow, the daughter of Mrs. Emma 
Nally, sister of Mrs. Barlow. She specialized in vocal music and is a 
prominent singer. She has been reared in the Barlow home since child- 
hood and is being educated and trained as carefully as if she were an own 
child. Mr. Barlow is a Knight Templar Mason and also aflSliated with 
the Knights of Pythias and some years ago served as judge advocate of 
the Missouri Division of the Sons of the Revolution. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 597 

George W. Barlow comes from an old Virginia family. His grand- 
parents were George and Sarah (Ubanks) Barlow, both natives of Vir- 
ginia and born about 1786 and 1789, respectively. They were married in 
1811. George Barlow enlisted as a private during the War of 1812, but 
was soon detached from the field service and sent out as a recruiting 
officer. He died in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1854, and his wife passed 
away in 1866. They were members of the Baptist Church. 

James Barlow, father of the Bethany lawyer, was born in Caroline 
County, Virginia, in 1832, and spent his active career as a farmer. In 
1836 his parents moved to Ohio and he was married in Jackson County 
of that state to Miss Lucinda Nally, daughter of William and Patsy Nally, 
who were likewise from Virginia. James Barlow, in 1863, enlisted in 
Company I of the One Hundred and Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, served as sergeant of his company and was in several engage- 
ments before he was discharged in the fall of 1864. During the Morgan 
raid through Ohio he was captured, but was soon released. James Bar- 
low was a Republican and one of the active influential men of Northwest 
Missouri after his removal to this state in 1865. He became a prominent 
Methodist Church leader in Harrison County, and built there a church 
largely by his own funds. His death occurred in April, 1907, and he is 
survived by his wife. Their children are: Emma, wife of Frank P. Bur- 
ns of Harrison County; William C, assistant cashier of the Bethany 
Savings Bank ; Henry A., a farmer in Harrison County ; Lola, wife of John 
Ballard, of Bethany; Howard, of Daviess County, Missouri; Doctor Ed- 
ward, a prominent physician at Pattonburg, Missouri, where he died in 
1902 ; Harvey K., a Harrison County farmer and Gilbert, who practices 
law in partnership with his brother, George W., under the firm name of 
Barlow, Barlow & Kautz. 



C. A. Stoner, the popular and efficient postmaster of Ridgeway, Mis- 
souri, is a native son of Han-ison County and a descendant of one of the 
early pioneer families of this section of Missouri. He was born in Trail 
Creek Township, May 2, 1877, a son of A. W. and Martha (Trainer) 
Stoner. 

A. W. Stoner is now living retired in Ridgeway. He was bom in 
Ohio and came to Missouri with his mother and brothers and sisters when 
he was about eight years old, his father having died in Ohio. A. W. 
Stoner was one of a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls all 



598 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of whom grew to maturity. Three of the boys, A. W., Spencer and Tom 
served in the Union army during the Civil War. 

C. A. Stoner was one of a family of nine children born to his parents, 
six of whom are living, as follows : Mrs. Olive Smith, Herford, Texas ; 
Oscar H., Hollister, Missouri ; Mrs. Minnie McCall, Amoret, Missouri ; C. 
A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. A. L. Pi-eston, Trail Creek Township, 
Harrison County; and Chester, Lamoni, Iowa. 

C. A. Stoner was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools and the Stanberry Normal School. He then attended the 
University of Missouri and was successfully engaged in teaching for 
twelve years. He was superintendent of the Mount Moriah schools at 
Mount Moriah, Missouri, for two years. He was engaged in the grocery 
business from 1907 until 1914 and in 1915 he was appointed postmaster 
of Ridgeway and has capably filled that office until the present time. Mr. 
Stoner is a painstaking and obliging public official and the high class 
service of the Ridgeway post office is recognized and highly appreciated 
by the numerous patrons of the several rural routes out of this office as 
well as by the people of the town. Mr. Stoner is also an attorney, hav- 
mg read law, passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice 
before the Supreme Court of Missouri. 

On December 10, 1897, Mr. Stoner was married to Miss Carrie Pitt- 
man of Madison Township, Harrison County, Missouri, and a native of 
Monroe County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Sampson M. and Rebecca 
(Stine) Pittman, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of 
Ohio. The Pittman family came to Missouri and settled in Marion Town- 
ship, Harrison County, in 1887. The mother died in 1908 and the father 
now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Stoner in Ridgeway. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Stoner have been born two children, Charm and Amber. Charm 
Stoner married Miss Myrtle Butler, a daughter of Fox Butler of Harrison 
County. She died March 25, 1921, leaving two children, Keith and 
Lavonia. Miss Amber Stoner was graduated from the Ridgeway High 
School, as was also her brother and she is now a student of the Uni- 
versity of Missouri and a member of the junior class. 

Mr. Stoner is a member of the Independent Oi'der of Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of 
American Yeoman. He is a member of the Christian Church and is presi- 
dent of the board of trustees. For a number of years Mr. Stoner has 
been active in Sunday School work and for the past ten years he has been 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 599 

superintendent. This is one of the best Sunday schools in northern Mis- 
souri and for the past six years has maintained an average of 100%. The 
average attendance is about 150. Mr. Stoner has only been absent a few 
times in the past ten years. He takes an active interest in pubhc affairs 
and for twelve years served as secretary of the school board and is now 
secretary of the chamber of commerce. He is one of Harrison County's 
public spirited and enterprising citizens. 



Elbert S. Miner, vice president and general manager of the Miner 
and Frees Lumber Company with general offices at Ridgeway, Missouri, 
is one of the progressive young business men of Harrison County. He 
was born at Ridgeway, Missouri, September 11, 1885 and is a son of W. 
A. Miner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Elbert S. Miner was reared to manhood at Ridgeway and attended 
the high school there and was graduated in the class of 1902. After work- 
ing for one year in the Miner and Frees Lumber yard at Ridgeway, he 
entered the University of Missouri, at Columbia. He did one year's work 
in the academic department and then entered the law department and was 
graduated in the class of 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Law and 
was admitted to the Missouri State Bar. 

After completing his course in the University, Mr. Miner returned to 
work in the lumber yard. He has kept in touch with the lumber business 
since boyhood, having worked in the Ridgeway yards during school vaca- 
tions. After completing his course in the University, Mr. Miner began 
work in the Ridgeway yard of the company and later was made manager. 
He remained in that capacity until the death of E. M. Crossan, treasurer 
of the company, on December 27, 1914. The company was then operat- 
ing nine lumber yards and at that time the management was consolidated 
under one office and W. A. Miner, father of Elbert F. Miner, was vice- 
president and general manager and Elbert S. Miner became treasurer. 
He served in that capacity until the time of his father's death, March 22, 
1920, when he succeeded his father as vice-president and general man- 
ager of the company. 

The Miner Frees Lumber Company have their general offices at Ridge- 
way and do an extensive business and have a very complete system and 
thorough organization for handling the details of this enormous business. 
Their capital and surplus is $350,000. They handle lumber, brick, coal 



600 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and cement and all kinds of building materials and have fourteen branch 
yards at the following places : Trenton, Missouri ; Brimson, Missouri ; 
Oilman City, Missouri; Spickard, Missouri; Coffey, Missouri; Mound City, 
Missouri; Oregon, Missouri; Bethany, Missouri; Blythedale, Missouri; 
King City, Missouri; Leon, Iowa; Ridgeway, Missouri; New Hampton, 
Missouri ; and Ford City, Missouri. 

Mr. Miner was married June 12, 1912, to Miss Celia A. Bunch, of 
Grant City, Missouri, and they have one son, William Allen Miner. 

Mr. Miner is a Knight's Templar Mason and a member of the Shrine. 
He is a deacon in the First Christian Church and a member of the board 
of trustees. He is a Republican and takes an active part in his party 
organization and is township committeeman and treasurer of the Fourth 
Congressional District. He is vice-president of the First National Bank 
of Ridgeway and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. He is pub- 
lic spirited and enterprising and one of the substantial business men of 
Harrison County. 



M, Y. Hillyard, of Jefferson Township is one of the honored pioneer 
settlers of Hamson County. He was born in Barber County, Virginia 
(now West Virginia) July 28, 1849, a son of Isaac and Sarah Jane 
(Yokem) Hillyard, both natives of Virginia and descendants of old Eng- 
lish Colonial stock. 

Isaac Hillyard v,as born in eastern Virginia and came west with 
his family at an early day, driving through from Virginia to Iowa with 
teams and wagons. They remained in Iowa one winter and in the spring 
came to Harrison County, Missouri, and settled in what is now Jefferson 
Township. He rented land for three yeai's and then bought a fann and 
built a house on the place during the Civil War. He was a miller, also, 
and operated a mill in Virginia before coming West. After coming to 
Jefferson Township he built a saw and grist mill about three-fourths of 
a mile from the present home of M. Y. Hillyard. He and his son M. Y., 
operated this mill for a number of years and in 1886 the dam was washed 
away by high water. As a relic of the old time grist mill, Mr. Hillyard, 
has placed the old buhr-stones which were used in that mill in the walk 
at his front gate. M. Y. Hillyard and his father operated in partnership 
during the life time of the latter. The operation of their grist mill, saw 
mill and farm were conducted in partnership and after the death of 
the father, M. Y. Hillyard carried on the business and has also operated 
a threshing machine. Mr. Hillyard owns 160 acres of valuable and well 




M. Y. HILLYARD 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 601 

improved land and carries on general farming and stock raising. He 
is also one of the successful horticulturists of Harrison County. He has 
a splendid orchard of fourteen acres where he has been very successful 
in the production of apples, peaches and pears. During the season of 
1919 he sold $800 worth of fruit from this orchard. 

Isaac Hillyard and wife were the parents of nine children as follows : 
M. Y., the subject of this sketch; Prudence married John Neal, Blue 
Ridge, Missouri; Joe, Independence, Kansas; William, died in early man- 
hood ; Dora, married John Dyer, and is now a widow living in Oklahoma ; 
Lewis, Jefferson Township ; Soloman, Jefferson Township ; Newton, Jeffer- 
son Township; and Rosa, married Charles Kembro, Blue Ridge, Mis- 
souri. The father died in 1891, aged sixty-six years, and the mother 
died in 1907. 

M. Y. Hillyard was married January 15, 1870, to Mary Ann Whit- 
man, a native of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Three children 
were born to them, as follows: Charles Monroe, lives near Coffey, Mis- 
souri; Fred, and Jesse both living in Jefferson Township. The mother 
died October 26, 1917, and Mr. Hillyard was afterward married to Mary 
T. Bell, of Jeffei'son Township; she died on June 2, 1821, aged sixty-six 
years, six months and twenty-seven days. 

Mr. Hillyard is one of the few pioneers now living in Harrison County 
who has seen this county grov/ up, so to speak. When he was a boy 
Harrison County was practically in its primitive state and he remembers 
of having seen deer, wild turkeys and was familiar with the howl of the 
wolves in the early days here. He was not a hunter to any great extent 
although he has frequently killed wild turkeys. 

Mr. Hillyard has always supported the policies and principles of the 
Democratic party and he is one of the substantial and highly respected 
citizens of Harrison Countv. He is a member of the Presbvterian Church. 



J. P. Simpson, of Grant Township, is a Civil War veteran and a prom- 
inent pioneer settler of Harrison County. He was born in Franklin 
County, Missouri, January 28, 1842, a son of John and Sarah (Enloe) 
Simpson, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North Caro- 
lina. 

John Simpson came to Harrison County with his family in 1843. They 
settled on Big Creek, west of what is now the town of Blythedale. The 
father was a farmer and followed that vocation in Harrison County for 



602 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

some years when he sold his place here and removed to Iowa and died in 
Folk County, Iowa, in 1850. His wife died in 1848, when J. P. Simpson 
of this review was six years old. 

J. P. Simpson was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of the 
early days in Harrison County and was about nineteen years old when 
the Civil War broke out. He enlisted at Bethany, August 3, 1861, be- 
coming a member of Company E, 23rd Missouri Infanti-y. Later he was 
transferred to Company A, of the same regiment. He served in the Army 
of the Cumberland and participated in a number of important battles of 
the Civil War as well as a number ot' skirmishes and minor engagements. 
He served under General Thomas and was at the battle of Shiloh and 
Chattanooga. He was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea 
and participated in many engagements of that campaign. He was with 
his command in North Carolina when General Lee surrendered and the 
war closed. From North Carolina he marched through to Washington, 
D. C. and was in the Grand Review. At the expiration of his first temi 
of enlistment he reenlisted as a veteran volunteer at McManville, 
Tennessee. After the close of the war he received his honorable dis- 
charge at St. Louis and was mustered out of the United States service at 
Louisville, Kentucky. During his long and hazardous military service 
Mr. Simpson was fortunately never wounded nor taken prisoner. 

After the close of the war, Mr. Simpson returned to Harrison County 
and for a time worked out by the month. Shortly afterwards he bought 
eighty acres of land which is a part of his present place. He went 
in debt for his first farm and bought inore land from time to time until 
he became the owner of 840 acres which constitutes the Simpson farm 
now. He carried on farming and stock raising and has met with success. 
He has experienced all the hard and good times of the past sixty years and 
in speaking of present day conditions, Mr. Simpson says, they are not so 
bad as he experienced on many former occasions. He remembers of hav- 
ing sold hogs for $1.7-5 per hundred and other farm produce in proportion. 

Mr. Simpson was married September 12, 1867 to Miss Sarah Jane 
Gillispie, a native of Jackson County, Ohio and a mem.ber of a pioneer 
family of Harrison County. She died in 1883, leaving two sons, J. P. Jr. ; 
and J. N., who operates the home farm, the father having retired from 
active business about 1916. 

Mr. Simpson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is 
a Republican. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 603 

J. P. Simpson, Jr., who operates a part of the home place was reared 
in Grant Township and has always been engaged in farming on the home 
place with his father. He was married to Miss Dora Lilly, a native of 
Harrison County and they have five children as follows : Jasper Roy, Gar- 
land Russell, Edith Erlene, Joseph Lee and William Howard. 

J. N. Simpson, the youngest son of J. P. Simpson, Sr. was born on the 
home place in Grant Township, where he now resides, October 17, 1880. 
He was married March 1, 1902, to Miss Pear Slingerland, of Trail Creek 
Township and they have the following children; Oliver, Nort, Jr., and John. 



G. T. Smothers, cashier of the Commercial State Bank of Ridgeway, 
is one of the progressive young bankers of Harrison County. He is a 
native of this county and was born April 11, 1896, a son of Daniel and 
Rosa B. (Glaze) Smothers, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

G. T. Smothers was educated in the public schools and the Central 
Business College of Kansas City, Missouri. After completing his busi- 
ness course he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Commercial 
State Bank of Ridgeway and was serving in that capacity when the United 
States entered the World War. On June 14, 1918, he enlisted in the 
United States army and was attached to the Medical Corps. He was in 
training at Columbia, Missouri, for two months when he was transferred 
to Camp Greenleaf, Georgia. On June 13, 1919 he was transferred to 
United States General Hospital, No. 38, New York City. On July 19. 
1919, he was transferred to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he received his dis- 
charge July 21, 1919. He then returned to Ridgeway and became assist- 
ant cashier of the Commercial State Bank and served in that capacity 
until February 1, 1920 when he was elected cashier and since that time 
has filled that responsible position. 

Mr. Smothers was married June 26, 1921 to Miss Dorothy Swartz, a 
native of New Hampton, Missouri. Mrs. Smothers was educated in the 
public schools of New Hampton, graduating from the high school and then 
attended Howard Payne College at Fayette, Missouri, where she special- 
ized in music and English. She was a teacher in the Ridgeway High 
School prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of C. E. Swartz of New 
Hampton. 

Mr. Smothers is a member of the American Legion, Updyke Post. No. 
228 and he holds membership in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 



604 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Lorraine Lodge, No. 128. He is a member of the Methodist Church and 
one of the substantial young men of this county. He is a close student 
of the intricate problems of finance and banking and by his courteous and 
obliging manner he has won the esteem and confidence of the business 
world. 

The Commercial State Bank of Ridgeway is one of the substantial 
and well conducted financial institutions of Harrison County. It was 
organized with a capital stock of $15,000 in 1908. The surplus of the 
bank is $11,000. 

The first officers of the Commercial State Bank were: C. T. Webb, 
president; J. N. Homan, vice-president; E. Scott, cashier; and Ora C. 
Scott, first assistant cashier. The present officers are: Daniel Smothers, 
president ; P. F. Emry, vice-president ; G. T. Smothers, cashier and D. A. 
Leazenby, assistant cashier. The directors are: Daniel Smothers, P. F. 
Emry, H. A. Rinehart, J. F. Milligan and C. T. Mitchell. 

The bank building which is a two story brick structure, the lower 
floor which is occupied exclusively by the bank was built about the time 
the bank was organized. The furniture and fixtures are modern and 
afford every convenience to the patrons and oflficers of the bank and pre- 
sent a neat and rich appearance. This bank has been under capable man- 
agement since its organization and has had a substantial growth. 



J. H. Cunniflf, a prominent farmer and stockman of Jefferson Town- 
ship, is a native of Harrison County and was born on the place where he 
now resides March 17, 1869. He is a son of John and Deborah (Leeds) 
Cunniff, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. 

John Cunniff settled in Harrison County in 1866, reaching here May 
3rd. He engaged in farming and stock raising in Jefferson Township and 
met with success. He was a substantial citizen and highly respected by 
all that knew him. He died May 28, 1905 at the age of seventy-one years 
and his wife died at the age of sixty-nine years. They were the parents of 
three children: J. H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma SchrofF, who 
lives in Harrison County and Mrs. Mary Morris, Harrison County. By a 
former marriage of the mother to Mark Harris the following children were 
born: Mrs. Lydia Maniwaring, Acton, Montana; C. R. Harris, Cherokee, 
Iowa and F. L. Harris, who died at Blythedale, Missouri, in 1921. 

J. H. Cunniff was reared on the place where he now resides and edu- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 605 

cated in the district school. He has always followed farming and stock 
raising, he is the owner of 363 acres of well improved and valuable land, 160 
acres of which is located in Grant Township twelve acres in Bethany Town- 
ship and the balance upon which the residence is situated is in Jefferson 
Township. In 1918, Mr. Cunniff erected a large modern residence which 
is one of the fine homes of Harrison County. 

On November 15, 1894, Mr. Cunniflf was married to Miss Bessie Buz- 
zard, a native of Harrison County and a daughter of Isaiah Buzzard, now 
deceased and his widow lives in Bethany. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunniff were 
born five children as follows: 0. Avery, who entered the United States 
Army during the World War, July 24, 1918, was trained at Camp Funston, 
was a member of Company I, 70th Infantry, 10th Division, and was dis- 
charged February 6, 1919, married November 7, 1919 to Ethel Haselten of 
Blue Ridge, daughter of Bert and Minnie Haselton who now resides in St. 
Joseph; Gladys, married Ray McDaniel and they five south of Bethany; 
Blanche, Bethany ; Fay, a student and Nina. The mother of these children 
died March 10, 1908, and in January 24, 1914, Mr. Cunniff was married to 
Miss Ethel Tilley and they have one child, William Henry. She was bom in 
Cypress Township, a daughter of W. L. and Rose (Francisco) Tilley, both 
natives of Harrison County and now five in Bethany — she was reared in 
this county and educated in Bethany schools. 

Mr. Cunniff is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
The Encampment and the Knights of Pythias. He is an entei-prising and 
progressive citizen and is widely and favorably known in Harrison County 
Mrs. Cunniff is a member of the Baptist Church. 



Robert M. Ballard, a prominent farmer and stockman of Grant Town- 
ship, is a native of Harrison County and a member of one of the pioneer 
families of this section of the state. He was bom in Cypress Township, 
August 15, 1871, a son of Boone and Caroline (Salmon) Ballard, the former 
a native of Indiana and the latter of Marion County Ohio. 

Boone Ballard was a pioneer settler of Harrison County. He came 
here in 1852 and settled on a farm seven miles south of Bethany, in Cypress 
Township and was a successful farmer and stock raiser. During the Civil 
War he served in the Union Amiy, being a member of the famous Merril 
Horse. He was first married to Anna Brown, and to that union the follow- 
ing children were born: William, who was a pioneer of Colorado and helped 



606 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

to erect the first cabins in that state and also was a soldier in the Civil 
War, serving in the same company with his father and now resides at 
Aspen, Colorado; Eliza, married G. W. Dort, and they both spent their 
lives at Washington, Kansas ; Mrs. Chloe Smith, died at Hutchinson, Kan- 
sas; Chapman, Taos, New Mexico; and Mrrs. Jane Johnson, Morganville, 
Kansas. 

Robert M. Ballard is one of the following children bom to his father's 
second marriage: N. J., a merchant, Hutchinson, Kansas; John, Bethany, 
Missouri ; Boone, Seattle, Washington ; Anna, married H. P. Joseph ; Maxey, 
Colorado; Charles, Stockton, California; Robert M., the subject of this 
sketch; Henry, Bethany, Missouri; and Clara, married H. K. Barlow, Beth- 
any, Missouri. 

Robert M. Ballard was reared on the home place in Cypress Town- 
ship and educated in the public schools. He engaged in farming and 
stock raising on his own account in early life and in 1909 bought his 
present farm in Grant Township. His place consists of 159 acres and 
is well improved, with a good residence and other farm buildings. It is 
one of the attractive places of Grant Township. 

Mr. Ballard was married December 24, 1896 to Miss Lillie Stinson, a 
native of Harrison County and a member of one of the pioneer families of 
Harrison County. She was born in Washington Township and is a daugh- 
ter of Peter D. and Mary (McLaughlin) Stinson, both natives of Ireland. 
The father was born in the western part of Ireland and the mother was 
a native of Belfast. They were both reared in Liverpool, England, and 
married in that city. They came to America in 1852 and after remaining 
a short time in Philadelphia, went to New Orleans and from there to Chi- 
cago. They then lived on a farm near Iowa City, Iowa for a time. In 
1857, they came to Harrison County and were among the first settlers in 
Washington Township. The father learned the coopers trade in early 
life and worked at it some after coming to this county, but his principal 
occupation was farming and stock raising. He served in the Union Army 
during the Civil War. In 1890 he and his wife retired from the farm and 
removed to Bethany, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He 
died May 9, 190.3 and his wife died February 27, 1906. They were the 
parents of ten children as follows : Mrs. Elizabeth Peak, Oklahoma City, 
Oklahoma; Mrs. M. A. Bram, deceased; Mrs. Lucinda Heller, Kanona, 
Kansas; J. A. Kanona, Kansas; Mrs. Lettie Chivington, Dresden, Kansas; 
Mrs. Arabelle Willard, Norcatur, Kansas; W. H., Fairbury, Nebraska; 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 607 

Maggie, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; John C, Cain City, Texas; and Lillie, 
the wife of Robert M. Ballard, the subject of this sketch. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ballard have been born three children, as follows: 
Verbal S. resides at home with his parents; Lester R. died at the age 
of ten years ; and Charles B. died when four months old. Verbal S. Ballard 
was in the service during the World War and was taking a course of 
training at Columbia, Missouri, when the Armistice was signed. 

Mr. Ballard is a Republican and is the present clerk and assessor 
of Grant Township. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and 
fie and his family rank high as representive people of Harrison County. 



J, P. Jackson, a progressive and well known farmer and stock man 
of Grant Tov^oiship, is a native of Iowa. He was born in Wapello, County, 
Iowa, August 1, 1856, a son of Aaron Jackson. His mother bore the maiden 
name of Lewis and his parents were both natives of Indiana. They came 
to Iowa in 1854 and after remaining two years in that state returned to 
Indiana when J. P. Jackson of this review was only six weeks old. They 
made the trip across the plains in a prairie schooner. The mother died' 
in Indiana in 1863 and the father in 1864. There was one other child in 
the family besides J. P., Jacob, who now lives in Indiana. Two sisters 
died when young. 

J. P. Jackson was only seven years old when his mother died and 
his father died the following year. Thus he was left an orphan at a 
very early age. He was reared by an uncle in Indiana with whom he 
made his home until he was twenty-one years old. He received his early 
education in the public schools and later attended Purdue University where 
he took the agriculture course, working his own way through college. In 
1890 he v/ent to Iowa where he was engaged in farming and stock raising 
until 1896. He then came to Harrison County and bought a farm just 
east of the town of Ridgeway, near the corporation limit. He owns 160 
acres of valuable and well improved land where he carries on general farm- 
ing and stock raising. Since coming here Mr. Jackson has made a number 
of substantial improvements. He has remodeled the residence and his 
place presents an attractive and well kept appearance and is one of the 
pretty places of Harrison County. 

Mr. Jackson was man'ied February 14, 1883 to Miss EflSe A. Scott, a 
native of Wapello County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been 



608 HISTORy OF HARRISON COUNTY 

*■ 
born the following children: Carrie, a graduate of the Ridgeway High 

School, Teachers State College at Warrensburg, Missouri, the State Uni- 
versity and is now a teacher; Mary, who is also a graduate of the same 
institutions and is a teacher; Keith, a graduate of the Ridgeway High 
School and the State Teachers College at WaiTensburg, is a manual train- 
ing teacher, and Roger who is a graduate of the Ridgeway High School, 
and is now farming with his father. 

Mr. Jackson is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a public 
spirited and substantial citizen and the Jackson family stands high in 
Harrison County. 



Riley Hurst, a prominent farmer and stockman of Colfax Township, 
has land holdings of 475 acres and lives five and three-fourths miles 
south of Lamoni, Iowa on the Jefferson Highway where he has a fine 
modern residence. 

Mr. Hurst was born a half mile south of his present home in Colfax 
Township, May 4, 1870. His parents were James A. and Susan C. 
(Justice) Hurst to whom thirteen children were born. Eight of the 
children are still living. James A. Hurst was born in Sangamon County, 
Illinois in 1834. and died in this county. September 8, 1908. He was 
a practical farmer all of his life. He came to Harrison County in 1865, 
with his mother, his wife and four children and located in Colfax Town- 
ship. They drove through from Illinois with a team and settled in a 
country that was all unbroken prairie land. Mr. Hurst built a frame 
house, quite a rarity in those days, which was considered one of the fine 
homes of the township. The timbers for the house were hauled from Price- 
ton, Missouri and the shingles were brought from Afton, Iowa. At 
that time the men who farmed were confronted by the necessity of 
breaking up the land and Mr. Hurst at once began this work, making as 
time went on, many improvements which enhanced the value of his 
land. Susan C. (Justice) Hurst was a native of Tennessee born in 1842. 
She was married in Illinois and died in Missouri in 1911. 

Riley Hurst has followed the vocation of farming all of his life. 
He attended the district schools of the county and started out to work 
for himself when he was a young man. He had practical training for 
his life work on his father's farm of 400 acres and he at first rented land 
for farming. About thirty-five years ago, however, he bought 100 acres 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 609 

of land in Colfax Township to which he soon added the forty acres where 
he now lives. Later on, he added to his land as he could. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hurst have purchased land that now adjoin the holdings, until 
they have acquired the present large tract. Mr. Hurst does general farm- 
ing and raises stock, in both of which pursuits he has achieved success. 

Riley Hurst was married on June 5, 1900, to S. Eugenia Hill, born 
in Caldwell County, February 6, 1872, the daughter of Morris H. and 
Lucy (Davis) Hill, the former a native of Boone County and the latter 
born in Caldwell County. Mrs. Hill died in Caldwell County in 1882, 
and Mr. Hill brought his children to Han ison County in 1885, where he 
died in 1900, at the age of fifty-nine years. To the union of Riley and 
S. Eugenia (Hill) Hurst one child was born; Woodson R., married to 
Nellie Martin and living a mile east of his father's farm. To this union 
two children have been born. 

Mr. Hurst is a democrat in i^olitics and his wife is a member of the 
Christian Church. Mr. Hurst is one of Harrison County's enterprising 
citizens. His marked success has been achieved because of his business 
insight, his integrity, and his progressive methods in his line of work. 
Such men build up the community of which they are a part and well 
merit the esteem in which they are held. 

In 1919, Mr. Hurst was appointed special road commissioner of the 
Jefferson Highway road district of Harrison County. He has always 
been a stiong advocate of good roads. , 



Dr. Lake Brewer a prominent physician of Harrison County, who is 
successfully engaged in the practice of her profession, at Ridgeway, is a 
native of Harrison County. She was born at Ridgeway, January 4, 1882, 
and is a daughter of George W. and Delia (Warner) Brewer, both natives 
of Ohio and descendants of old American families. 

George W. Brewer was born in Zanesville, Ohio, May 12, 1840 and 
was the eldest son of William and Nancy (Hanes) Brewer. He was a 
druggist. Prior to coming to Ridgeway, Missouri, he lived at Danville, 
Illinois. He died in New Orleans in 1898. 

The Brewer family was founded in America in 1633, and the first 
record of them is found in New York. The name was originally Brower, 
and they came from Holland, and Jacobus Brower was the first member 
of the family to come to this country. 
(34) 



610 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Nancy Hanes Brewer, mother of George W. Brewer, was a daughter 
of Joseph Hanes, who was bom in 1750, and served in the American army 
with the rank of captain in the Revokitionary War. 

George W. Brewer was married January 2, 1868, in Champaign 
County, Ilhnois, to Miss Delia Warner and three children were born to 
them as follows: Dr. Lake Brewer, the subject of this sketch; a son bom 
Januaiy 13, 1883, died in infancy; and a daughter. Leaf, born November 
24, 1886. 

Delia Warner Brewer was born at Wooster, Ohio, in 1850, and is a 
daughter of Amasa and Ellsie Ann (Lowery) Warner. The Warner 
family date back to a very early day, in the settlement of New England. 
Amasa Warner, Doctor Brewer's grandfather was born in North Hamp- 
ton County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Nathan Warner, who was 
born in Dutchess County, New York, October 31, 1765. and died in Ohio. 
Nathan Warner was a son of Nathan Warner, who was bom in Windhan, 
Connecticut, in 1744. He was a son of Daniel Warner, who was born in 
Windhan, Connecticut, in 1714. Daniel Warner was a son of Ichabod, who 
was born at Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1684. He was a son of Isaac 
Warner, who was born in 1645, at Northfield, Massachusetts, and Isaac 
was a son of Andrew Warner, who was the founder of the Warner family 
in this country. The first mention that is found of Andrew Warner, ap- 
pears in the town records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, which at that 
time was known as "Newtowne". On January 7, 1633, and subsequent 
dates, the name of Andrew Warner, frequently appears. He was born in 
Essex County, England, in 1595, and probably came to New England in 
1629. He was the son of John Warner, a prominent resident of Essex 
County, England. 

Dr. Lake Brewer was reared in Ridgeway and attended the public 
schools here and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1899. 
This was the third class which was graduated from the Ridgeway High 
School. Miss Brewer, then entered the University of Missouri, at Colum- 
bia and was graduated in the class of 1903, with the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts and at the same time received a teachers life certificate. She 
afterwards entered the Medical Department and was graduated in 1908, 
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and immediately engaged in the 
practice of her profession at Ridgeway and has built up a large practice. 
She is an able physician and is a close student of the advance made in the 
great science of medicine. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 611 

Doctor Brewer is a Republican and was a delegate at the Republican 
state convention in 1920. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and 
holds membership in the Yoemen, P. E. 0., and the Daughters of 1812. 
She is a member of the County, State and American Medical Association. 



C. C. Fordyce, of Grant Township has been prominently identified with 
the development of Harrison County in various ways for a number of 
years. He was born near Dallas, West Virginia, July 7, 1853, a son of 
John and Margaret Ann (Cameron) Fordyce. 

John Fordyce was a native of Stubenville, Ohio, and a son of pioneer 
parents of that state. Margaret Ann Cameron was a native of Scotland 
and came to America with her parents who returned to their native land 
some time after her marriage to John Fordyce. The Fordyce family 
came west in 1875 and settled in Iowa. The father died in Harrison County, 
Missouri. The mother died in Taylor County, Iowa. They were the 
parents of six children: Mrs. Elizabeth Potter, Bethany, Missouri; Mrs. 
Margaret McConnell, Washington County Pennsylvania; Mrs. Caroline 
Power, Spirit Lake, Iowa; C. C, the subject of this sketch; George, de- 
ceased and Mrs. Lou Johnson, who lives near Bedford, Iowa. 

During the Civil War, John Fordyce, served in Company G, 85th 
Pennsylvania Infantry. 

C. C. Fordyce was educated in the public schools and when about 
seventeen years old began working out by the month. About two years 
later he came to Missouri, landing at Chillicothe, and walked from there to 
Bethany, a distance of about fifty miles in one day. When he came to 
Harrison County, Mr. Fordyce had $305.00. He worked one year for 
eighteen dollars per month and then returned to Pennsylvania for a short 
time and came back to Harrison County in the spring of 1875 and was 
married. He farmed and rented land for two years when his wife was 
given eighty acres of land by her father. Later they sold that fann and 
bought 160 acres in Trail Creek Township. Later Mr. Fordyce sold that 
place at a profit of $2,000.00. He then bought a farm in Grant Township, 
two miles northeast of his present home and in 1889, bought the eighty 
upon which his residence is located. He bought more land from time to 
time and is now the owner of 766 acres besides some timber land. Mr. 
Fordyce was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising for a 
number of years and met with success. During recent years he has 
rented his land to his sons who are now successfully operating it. 



612 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

In addition to his farming operations, Mr. Fordyce has been and is 
still interested in a number of other enterpi'ises in which he has invest- 
ments. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Ridge- 
way, and served as president of that institution for eleven years. 

Mr. Fordyce was married April 21, 1875, to Miss Ida F. Boyce, a 
native of Harrison County, Missouri. She was born near Blue Ridge, and 
was a daughter of Daniel D. Boyce, a pioneer settler of Harrison County, 
who came here about 1855. He served as lieutenant in the Union Army 
during the Civil War and for many years was prominent in Harrison 
County. He served as county judge and held various other offices. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Fordyce were bom the following children: Gertrude, married C. 
E. Smith, Bethany Township; Bessie, married R. D. Swain, Grant Town- 
ship ; Daniel, Oswego, Kansas ; Orrie, a farmer in Sherman Township ; 
Roy, Bethany, Missouri; Ralph, Grant Township; and Lela, married Clif- 
ford Polley, Sherman Township. There are fourteen grandchildren in the 
Fordyce family. 

Mr. Fordj'ce is a Republican and has held a number of local offices 
and served as justice of the peace for four years. He and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Church and are among the highly respected 
and dependable citizens of Harrison County. 



H. J. Hallock, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Grant Town- 
ship is a native son of Harrison County. He was born in Bethany Town- 
ship, August 20, 1867, a son of Uriah and Electa (Fuller) Hallock, early 
settlers in Harrison County. 

Uriah Hallock was a native of Ohio and when a young man came 
west and settled in Appanoose, County, Iowa. When the Civil War broke 
out he enlisted in an Iowa regiment. He participated in a number of en- 
gagements and was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, which practi- 
cally disabled him for life. A minnie ball passed through his forearm and 
through his arm between the shoulder and elbow and through his side. 
Shortly after the war he came to Harrison County and settled east of 
Bethany. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising for a 
number of years. He always took a prominent part in public affairs and 
held local office of various kind. He served as justice of the peace. He 
died September 13, 1918, at the age of seventy-six years and his wife 
departed this life September 12, 1917 and their remains are buried in the 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 613 

Dale Cemetery. They were the parents of four children, as follows : B. C, 
who lives in Grant Township; John, lives near the old home in Bethany, 
Township ; and Orrie, who lives on the old home place and H. J., the sub- 
ject of this sketch who is the oldest of the family. The mother was first 
married to Jeff Dale, who was a very early pioneer settler of Harrison 
County and the following children were born to them: Mrs. Victoria 
Foster, of Ridgeway, Missouri; and S. A. Dale, a sketch of whom appears 
in this volume. 

H. J. Hallock was reared on the home place and educated in the 
public schools and the Stanbery Normal School at Stanbery, Missouri. 
He taught school for about five years and when he was twenty-five years 
old he engaged in farming for himself. He first bought 120 acres of land 
and has added to that from time to time until he is now the owner of 
four hundred acres of valuable and productive land. His place is excep- 
tionally improved and under a high state of cultivation. He carries on 
general farming and stock raising and is specializing in Whitefaced cattle 
and now has about thirty Whitefaced cows. For a number of years he 
was an extensive hog raiser. The Hallock home is modern and up to date 
in every particular being lighted by a private plant and Mr. Hallock has 
also installed a complete water system. The other buildings about the 
place are conviently arranged and well kept and altogether the farm pre- 
sents a very attractive appearance. 

Mr. Hallock was married April 6, 1893 to Miss Dora Fransham, of 
Ridgeway, Missouri. She is a daughter of Charles Fransham who con- 
ducted a lumber business at Ridgeway, Missouri for a number of years. 
He was a native of England and he and his wife are both now deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hallock are members of the Christian Church and he has 
always been a Democrat. 



George S. Bridges, a well known and successful farmer and stockman 
who operates a farm in Marion Township and resides in Eagleville, is a 
native of Harrison County and a descendant of early pioneers of this sec- 
tion of the state. He was born in Marion Township, November 2, 1864, 
and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Patton) Bridges. 

James Bridges was a native of Illinois and came to Harrison County 
with his parents at a very early date. He was a son of Charles Bridges, 
who settled in Marion Township upon coming to this county, and here 
he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. 



614 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

James JBridges followed farming and stock raising in Marion Town- 
ship, where he and his wife both spent their lives and are buried at the 
Masonic Cemetery, at Eagleville. Elizabeth (Patton) Bridges was a 
daughter of Thomas Patton, who settled in Marion Township, and spent 
the remainder of his life there. Thomas Patton homsteaded government 
land in that township and followed farming and stock raising throughout 
his active career. His son, George Patton served in the Union Army dur- 
ing the Civil War. 

To James and Elizabeth (Patton) Bridges were born six children, 
three of whom are living as follows : Mrs. Anna Montgomery, Eagle- 
ville, Missouri; George S., the subject of this sketch and Charles, county 
clerk of Harrison County, resides at Bethany. 

George S. Bridges was reared in Marion Township and attended the 
District No. 5 School. He has made farming and stock raising his chief 
occupation and since early life has been successfully engaged in that busi- 
ness. He owns a farm of seventy-three acres in Marion Township, which 
is a valuable and well improved place. He carries on general farming 
and stock raising and makes a specialty of pure bred Shorthorn cattle. 
His farm is located a short distance from Eagleville and he makes his 
home in town where he has a nice residence. 

Mr. Bridges is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge. He is one of the dependable citizens of Harrison County and the 
Bridges family ranks with the old and honorable families of Harrison 
County. 



G. D. Cramer, a prominent hardware and implement dealer at Eagle- 
ville, is a native of Harrison County. He was born at Eagleville, October 
6, 1871, a son of Andrew and Louisa (Manor) Cramer, the former a 
native of Germany and the latter of Canada. 

Andrew Cramer came to the United States when he was twenty- 
seven years old and settled in Wisconsin where he was married. In 1868 
he came to Harrison County, Missouri and located at Eagleville. He was 
a shoemaker by trade and worked at his trade here until 1886. He then 
engaged in partnership with his oldest son, A. E. Cramer, and they were 
engaged in the mercantile business until the time of the father's death. 
He died in 1896 at the age of sixty-three years, and his widow now re- 
sides at Eagleville at the age of seventy-eight years. 

Andrew and Louisa (Manor) Cramer were the parents of three chil- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 615 

dren as follows: A. E., who was in business at Eagleville with his father 
for a number of years, now lives at Moline, Illinois ; J. F., died in Chariton 
County, Missouri, at the age of fifty-three years; and G. D., the subject 
of this sketch. 

G. D. Cramer was reared at Eagleville and educated in the public 
schools of that place and the National Business College at Kansas City, 
Missouri. He began his mercantile career clerking in the store at Eagle- 
ville, which was conducted by his father and brother. In February, 1894, 
he engaged in the hardware business for himself at Eagleville. He added 
a harness department in 1900 and in 1906 he added implements. Mr. 
Cramer does an extensive business. His is the only hardware and imple- 
ment store in Eagleville and his business extends over a large scope of 
rich farm territory and by his straight forward methods as a dealer he 
has built up a large trade. His hardware and implement stores occupy 
separate buildings. The hardware store has a frontage of twenty-seven 
feet and is ninety-six feet deep and the implement store has a frontage 
of fifty feet and is eighty feet deep. 

Mr. Cramer was married October 1, 1893 to Miss Lena Martin, who 
is also a native of Harrison County and a daughter of William Martin, 
an early settler here. To Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have been born three 
children: Frank, who assists his father in the business at Eagleville; 
Ruth, married Carl G. Jones and they reside in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania and Helen who is a student in the local school. 

Mr. Cramer belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is a 
Republican. He is one of the dependable citizens of Harrison County and 
is widely and favorably known. 



G. G. Collins, a prominent farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Town- 
ship is one of the widely and favorably known citizens of Harrison County. 
He was born in Hancock County, Indiana, April 13, 1861 and came to Har- 
rison County, Missouri, with his parents when he was five years old. He 
is a son of T. W. and Nancy (Bussell) Collins. 

T. W. Collins was a native of Ohio and his wife of North Carolina. 
They removed from Indiana to Harrison County in 1866, driving through 
with teams and wagons. They settled on a farm in Trail Creek Town- 
ship just southwest of Mount Moriah. Here the father spent his life and 
is now deceased and the mother died in February, 1921, at the advanced 
age of eighty-five years. 



616 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

G. G. Collins has one living sister, Mattie, now the wife of N. N. 
Stoughton, and they reside at Mount Moriah. G. G. Collins was reared 
to manhood on the home place in Trail Creek Township and received his 
education in the public schools. He began farming for himself when he 
was twenty-three years old and shortly aftei'wards bought eighty acres 
of land four miles west of Mount Moriah. Later he sold that and in 
March, 1898 bought 240 acres of land which is located one and one-half 
miles south of Mount Moriah. This is one of the valuable farms of Trail 
Creek Township and is well improved with a good residence and other 
farm buildings. Mr. Collins carries on general farming and stock rais- 
ing and specializes in pure blood Durham cattle of which he has a valuable 
herd. 

Mr. Collins was married in 1884 to Miss Vinnie Stoughton, of Trail 
Creek Township and a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins have been 
born four children as follow: Mona and Cecil who reside at home; Nat, 
a farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Township and Cappie at home. The 
wife and mother died January 14, 1916. 

Mr. Collins has been a life long Democrat and is a member of the 
Methodist Church. He is one of the progressive citizens of Harrison 
County and is recognized as a dependable citizen. 



Winfield H. Scott, one of the prominent citizens of Harrison County 
and a well known merchant of Blythedale, has been connected with 
mercantile pursuits for practically all of his life. He has served in vari- 
ous capacities in the business word and has been a marked success in 
every line of work in which he has engaged. 

Winfield H. Scott was born at Albany, Indiana, May 24, 1862, the 
son of Herbert and Nancy (McKinley) Scott who were the parents of 
fifteen children, Winfield H. being the sixth child. The fourteenth child, Z. 
E. Scott, is the superintendent of Public Schools at Louisville, Kentucky 
and was one of the lecturers at Teachers College, Columbia University, 
New York City in August, 1921. Herbert Scott was born in Virginia, 
1829. When he was a young man he went to New Albany, Indiana where 
he was a farmer, and a teacher in the district schools. He also preached 
at times in the Christian Church of which organization he was a staunch 
supporter, acting as the president of the Southern Indiana District of 




WIXFIBLD H. SCOTT 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 617 

the Christian Church. His wile, Nancy (McKinley) Scott was born at 
Borden, Indiana in 1835. She was a fourth cousin of ex-president McKin- 
ley. The Scotts were sturdy people, good citizens and standing high 
in the esteem of their community. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scott died at New 
Albany, Indiana in 1907. 

W. H. Scott was reared on a farm in Floyd County, Indiana and 
was educated in the public schools of New Albany, where he taught for 
one year. In 1884 he came to Leon, Iowa and engaged in teaching until 
1887, when he accepted a position as clerk in the Young Brothers Gen- 
eral Merchandise store at Blythedale. 

In 1891, he bought a general store in partnership with John E. Gee. 
This partnership continued for three years when Mr. Scott purchased 
his partner's interest and the store became known as the W. H. Scott 
and Company firm. The title later changed to the Scott Mercantile 
Company and was conducted by J. F. Scott, a brother of Win field H. 
Scott. W. H. Scott began to buy and sell general merchandise stores 
at various places in the United States handling in all, seventy-five stocks 
of goods during this time. He remained on the road for sixteen years 
conducting a profitable business. In 1919 he became a manager of the 
Leader Department Store in St. Joseph and remained there for one and 
one-half years. In January, 1921, he returned to Blythedale to continue 
the work of the Scott Mercantile Company of which he has complete 
control. The store is housed in a large building and Mr. Scott carries 
a full line of groceries, hardware, dry-goods, and shoes. 

Winfield H. Scott was married February 19, 1885, to Mary Belle 
McGrew, born at Macomb, Illinois, the daughter of J. A. and Sarah A. 
(Jones) McGrew, both deceased. To this union one daughter, Maleta, 
was born in 1897. She died in 1901, and during that same year Mr. and 
Mrs. Scott adopted a daughter, Lalia Kent. They educated their adopted 
daughter and she graduated from the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas, 
afterwards teaching school for a number of years. She is now the wife 
of L. H. Stubbs of Tela, Honduras where Mr. Stubbs is the manager of 
a banana plantation. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs have one child, a son named 
Scott in honor of the subject of this review. 

Mr. Scott is identified with the democratic part in politics and is a 
member of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the following lodges: 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and the 



618 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served as the township assessor 
for six years to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Scott is 
a man whose versatility, energy and progressive business methods make 
lum an asset to a communtiy, where he can always be relied upon to 
further the cause of civic interests and improvements. 



W. P. Chambers the capable and well known cashier of the Bank of 
Mount Moriah, has served in his present position since this bank was 
organized in 1898, and is the oldest bank cashier of Harrison County, 
in years of service. Mr. Chambers is a member of one of the pioneer 
famihes of Harrison County. He was born at Mount Moriah, Januarj' 8, 
1866, and is a son of James T. and Timander (Reynolds) Chambers. His 
mother died when he was thirteen years old and his father now lives 
at Ridgeway, Missouri. A sketch of him appears in this volume. 

W. P. Chambers was reared at Mount Moriah and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools there. He learned the l^arbers trade early in 
life and followed that vocation at Mount Moriah for ten years. When 
the bank of Mount Moriah was organized he was elected cashier and has 
held that ijosition continously for the past fwenty-three years. 

The bank of Mount Moriah was organized May 28, 1898 by the fol- 
lowing gentlemen: John Norton, L. H. Bussell, J. J. Ross, the Miner 
Brothers, B. M. Frees, N. N. Stoughton, Thomas Gray, W. P. Chambers, 
and J. S. Twadell. 

The first officers of the bank were : W. P. Chambers, cashier ; Thomas 
Gray, president; and L. H. Bussell, vice-president. L. H. Bussell, who is 
now president of the bank succeeded Thomas Gray to the presidency in 
1909. At that time J. S. Twadell, became vice-president and served until 
January 1, 1921, when he was succeeded by E. A. Miner, the present vice- 
president. 

The bank was organized with a capital stock of .$10,000, which was 
increased to $20,000 later. It is one of the prosperous financial institutions 
of Harrison County and has had a substantial growth from the beginning. 
The present resources are about $112,000. The bank owns its own build- 
ing. 

W. P. Chambers is interested in other enterprises in Mount Moriah in 
addition to banking. He is a owner of the Chambers Block which is a 
substantial brick building which was built in 1919 and is occupied by a 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 619 

picture show and a grocery store, both of which are owned by Mr. Cham- 
bers. He also owns farm land in the vicinity of Mount Moriah. 

Mr. Chambers was married April 5, 1891, to Miss Alice Ross, o 
Trail Creek Township. She is a daughter of James and Margaret (Lloyd) 
Ross. James Ross was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 21, 1841, and 
died in Trail Creek Township, May 15, 1921. He always followed farm- 
ing and stock raising. During the Civil War, he served in the Union Army 
and was a member of Company D, 23rd Regiment, Missouri Infantry. He 
was a great hunter and fisher and in the early days in this section he 
killed a great many deer and wild turkeys. His wife was born at Warsaw, 
Missouri. Mrs. Chambers has one sister, Zelpha, the wife of L. H. Bussell, 
a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Chambers 
has been born one son, Arthur, who married Esther Gathman. Mr. Cham- 
bers is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights 
of Pythias and belongs to the Baptist Church. He has served as tax 
collector for the past eighteen years and served on the school board for 
several terms. He is a progressive and public spirited citizen and is widly 
and favorably known in northern Missouri. 



W. S. Williams, who is the owner of one of the attractive places of 
Harrison County, close to Ridgeway is one of the substantial and well 
known farmers and stockmen of this county. He was born in Monroe 
County, Indiana, July 14, 1863, a son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Bails) 
Williams, both natives of Indiana. 

The Williams family came from Indiana to Missouri in 1879. The 
father drove through from Indiana to Harrison County in the fall of the 
year and the following spring the family came by rail. They settled in 
the southern part of Grant Township and later settled on a farm near 
Brooklyn, where the father was engaged in farming and stock raising 
during the remainder of his life. He died September 18, 1911. His wafe 
died March 20, 1901 and their remains are buried in the Kirkley Ceme- 
tery. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living 
as follows: W. S., the subject of this sketch; Charles, lives in California; 
Isaac, Grant Township ; Wiley, Horton, Kansas ; James P. died in Colo- 
rado in 1917 and Mattie married Ed. Wolcotte, Walla Walla, Washington. 

W. S. Williams was reared on his father's farm in Harrison County 
and attended the Greencastle District School. When he was nineteen 



620 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

years old he went to Lane County, Kansas and homesteaded a farm and 
after remaining there five years and having proved up on his. claim he 
returned to Harrison County and was married. He began farming 
rented land in Grant Township and shortly afterwards bought a farm in 
Jefferson Township about one and one-half miles south of Brooklyn. He 
operated that farm about fourteen years when he sold it and bought 160 
acres in Trail Creek Township. He was successfully engaged in farming 
and stock raising there until 1920, when he sold that and bought his 
present place of eighty-one acres adjoining Ridgeway on the east in Grant 
Township. This is a valuable farm and well located. Mr. Williams 
carries on general farming and stock raising and is recognized as one of 
the successful men of Harrison County. 

January 26, 1891, Mr. Williams was married to Leatha Parrish, a 
native of Illinois. She is a daughter of Joseph Parrish, who was an early 
settler in Grant Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born 
the following children: Mrs. Pearl Guttridge. Union TowTiship; Mrs. 
Altha Burke, Howell County, Missouri; Mrs. Belle Beaver, Grant Town- 
ship; Delia; W. S., Jr.; and Bernice, residing at home with their parents. 
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are rearing Ruth Parrish who is a niece of Mrs. 
Williams, her brother's child. 

Mr. Williams is a Republican and belongs to the Modern Woodman 
of America Lodge. He is a public spirited and entei-prising citizen and 
the Williams family are among the representative people of Harrison 
County. 



Dr. George W. Sellers, a well known physician and surgeon who began 
the practice of his profession in Hari'ison County at an early day is now 
living retired at Mount Moriah. He was born in Green County, Ohio, 
July 15, 1839, a son of Daniel and Mary (Minic) Sellers, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. 

In 1840, when Doctor Sellers was less than a year old the family came 
West and settled in Peoria County, Illinois. In 1856 they came to Har- 
rison County and settled seven miles north of Bethany, in what is now 
Jefferson Township. The mother homesteaded government land here and 
the father went to the Pacific coast where he remained a number of years 
and returned to Indiana, where he died. The mother died in Harrison 
County and is buried at Mount Moriah. Of the children born to them 
three are now living as follows: Joseph, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Mrs. M. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 621 

B. Dale, a widow who lives at Geneseo, Kansas and Doctor George VV., the 
subject of this sketch. 

Dr. George W. Sellers was thrown upon his own resources at an early 
age. He obtained what education he could in the common schools whicli 
he supplemented by self study. He was always ambitious and a close 
student and after acquiring a good general education, he entered the 
American Medical College at St. Louis where he was graduated with the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1878. Shortly after graduating he 
engaged in the practice of his profession in Mount Moriah. He practiced 
over a large scope of territory during the early days when the roads were 
bad and in many instances there were no roads at all. He endured all the 
hardships incident to the life of the pioneer doctor. He traveled much 
on horseback, responding to calls at all times of night and day and during 
all manner of weather conditions. He had a large practice and was one 
of the most successful doctors of Harrison County. For a number of 
years his son, Dr. C. J. Sellers, practiced in partnership with him. About 
live years ago on account of failing health he retired from the practice 
and since that time he has lived retired in Mount Moriah, his son con- 
tinuing the practice alone. 

Doctor Sellers was married Jub^ 21, 1861, to Catharine Eades, a native 
of Crab Orchard, Kentucky. To Doctor and Mrs. Sellers have been born 
six children, three of whom are living as follows: Evyline, married 
Charles Webb, Bethany, Missouri ; Dr. Charles J., a sketch of whom ap- 
pears in this volume and Cora A., married Dr. John T. Price, of Sham- 
I'ock, Oklahoma. 

Doctor Sellers is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in 
public affairs. He was the first constable of Jefferson Township but since 
that time has refused to accept public office. He is a member of the 
Christian Church and a highly esteemed citizen of the county. 



Dr. C. J. Sellers, a prominent and successful physician of Mount 
Moriah, Missouri, is a native of Harrison County. He was bom about a 
half a mile south of Lorraine, June 24, 1871, and is a son of Dr. George 
W. Sellers, one of Harrison County's pioneer physicians, who is now liv- 
ing retired at Mount Moriah after a long and successful professional 
career. A sketch of Dr. George W. Sellers appears in this volume. 

Dr. C. J. Sellers was reared in Harrison County and was educated in 
the public schools at Mount Moriah and Edenburg College and the Chilla- 
cothe Normal School. He then entered the American Medical College, 



622 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the same school which his father attended, and was graduated from that 
institution in June, 1895, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 

Upon completing his medical course. Doctor Sellers engaged in the 
practice with his father and has constantly been engaged in the practice 
here ever since with the exception of the years of 1906-1907, when he 
was away on account of his wife's health. He and his father practiced 
together for a number of years but on account of his advanced age and 
failing health, the father gradually withdrew from the practice and for 
the past five years Dr. C. J. Sellers has practiced alone. He is the only 
physician at Mount Moriah and has a very large practice. He is an able 
physician and surgeon and has met with uniform success in his pro- 
fessional work. 

Doctor Sellers was married December 8, 1898, to Miss Alma Addison, 
of Mount Moriah. She was born in Mercer County, Missouri and is a 
daughter of Thomas and Amanda (Mullen) Addison. Her father operated 
a flour mill at Mount Moriah for a number of years and is now deceased. 
Her mother lives at Mount Moriah. To Doctor and Mrs. Sellers has been 
horn one child, Kenneth, who is now deceased. 

Doctor Sellers is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and is a 
Democrat. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and has the best 
interest of the community at heart. 



R. D. Wethered, a well known and successful farmer and stockman 
of Trail Creek Township, is a native of Iowa. He was boi-n at Afton, Iowa, 
September 4, 1869, a son of Charles W. and Elizabeth (Handy) Wethered. 

Charles W. Wethered was born in Michigan, near the Canadian 
border. He was a son of George Wethered and came to Iowa with his 
parents who located at Ottumwa, and there he grew to manhood. 'When 
a young man he came to Harrison County, Missouri, first settling at New 
Hampton. Later he removed to Trail Creek Township where he bought 
a farm and was engagf'd in farming and stock raising on the place now 
owned by his son, Frank. He died in 1905 at the age of seventy-one 
years. His widow now lives in Bethany. They were the parents of the 
following children: William, Bethany, Missouri; R. D., the subject of 
this sketch ; Frank, who lives on the old home place in Trail Creek Town- 
ship; Lewis, Bethany, Missouri; E. H., Grant Township and Mary, who 
married T. C. Miles, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 623 

R. D. Wethered was educated in the public schools and since early 
manhood has been engaged in farming and stock raising. His farm con- 
sists of 168 acres and is a productive and well improved place. The resi- 
dence is the very attractive home and the other farm buildings are in 
keeping with the general high class appearance of the place. 

Mr. Wethered was married August 8, 1909, to Miss Louie Hillyard, a 
daugter of Sol Hillyard of Jefferson Township, Harrison County. Two 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wethered, Lois Maxine and Gar- 
land Roy. 

Mr. Wethered is a Republican and has served as a member of the 
local school board for a number of years. He is one of the progressive 
and enterprising citizens of Trail Creek Township and the Wethered family 
stand high in Harrison County. 



F. W. Seitz, a leading farmer and stockman of Grant Township, is a 
native of Iowa. He was born in Davenport, October 16, 1862, a son of 
Frederick and Mary (Hanley) Seitz, the former a native of Germany and 
the latter of Vermont. Frederick Seitz, the father came to this country 
with his parents when he was a child. When the Civil War broke out he 
enlisted at Davenport, Iowa, in Company D, 11th Regiment Iowa Volun- 
teer Infantry and served in the army for three years. At the close of the 
war he i-eturned to Davenport and shortly afterwards removed to Ogden, 
Boone County; from there he removed to Sac City, Iowa, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. He learned the tailors trade in early life which 
he followed part of the time and was also a farmer. He worked at his 
trade in Sac City. He died at Sac City in 1895 and his wife died there 
some years later and they are both buried at Sac City. They were the 
parents of five children as follows: Arthur, Madrid, Iowa; Mrs. Emma 
Kester, is a widow and lives at Sioux City, Iowa; William, Victor, Iowa; 
Frank, Sioux City, Iowa and F. W., the subject of this sketch. Frank 
and F. W. are twins. 

F. W. Seitz was reared in Iowa and educated in the public schools and 
began life as a farmer in Boone County, Iowa. In 1903 he came to Har- 
rison County, Missouri and bought 160 acres of land in Grant Township 
which he owns. His farm is well improved and is productive land. He 
carries on general farming and stock raising and has also followed dairy- 
ing on quite an extensive scale. 



624 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Seitz was married October 14, 1891, to Miss Rhoda Teepell, a 
native of DeKalb County, Illinois. She is a daughter of Charles Teepell, 
who was a native of Canada and came west in an early day settling in Sac 
County, Iowa, where he and his wife both spent the remainder of their 
lives. They are buried at Wall Lake, Iowa. 

Mr. Seitz is a Republican and takes a commendable interest in 
political affairs although he has never aspired to hold political office. He 
is one of the dependable citizens of Harrison County and is widely and 
favorablv known. 



William Hale Casidy, proprietor of the Hotel Ridgeway at Ridge- 
way, Missouri, is one of the widely experienced and progressive hotel 
men of northern Missouri. 

The Hotel Ridgeway is the best hotel in Harrison County. It is a 
well constructed and conveniently arranged two-story bricy structure 
which was erected about five years ago by a few of the progressive and 
enterprising business men of Ridgeway who were determined that Ridge- 
way should have the best hotel of any town of its size in the country. 
The house is steam heated and every room is supplied with hot and cold 
running water and an ample proportion of the rooms have baths in 
connection. The house is supplied with a private water and sewerage 
system, the water being pumped by combination gas engine and electric 
motor power. The basement is occupied by a barber shop, toilet rooms, 
sample rooms, engine and store rooms. On the first floor is the office, 
dining room, parlor, kitchen and some sleeping rooms and the second 
floor is all occupied by sleeping rooms, all of which are of ample size and 
all well ventilated outside rooms. 

The Hotel Ridgeway 's furnished throughout with all modern high 
class hotel furniture and the beds are the best that money can buy. 
Neatness, cleanliness and service are the cardinal precepts of the man- 
agement of this hotel and every comfort and convenience possible under 
the circumstances are afforded the guest of this hotel. The hotel is con- 
ducted on the American plan and the meals are first class and the dining 
room service is of the same high standard as the other departments. 
Traveling men have long since recognized the superiority of the Hotel 
Ridgeway and have made it one of the popular stopping places in north- 
ern Missouri and it is not an infrequent occurrence for the capacity of 
the hotel to be overtaxed. However, Mr. Casidy, ever watchful that 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 625 

the public receives the best accommodations obtainable, frequently finds 
lodging places for his guest in private residences of the town under 
such circumstances. 

Wilham Hale Casidy was born at Milton, Van Buren County, Iowa 
in 1880. He is the son of E. P. and Ann (Blanchard) Casidy, both na- 
tives of Iowa. The Casidy and Blanchard families were among the 
pioneer settlers of Van Buren County, Iowa, and both took up govern- 
ment land in that section at a very early date. E. P. Casidy and his 
wife now reside on the same place in Van Buren County where they have 
lived for over forty years. 

William Hale Casidy is one of a family of four sons and one daughter 
all of whom were educated in the public schools of Van Buren County 
Iowa. He learned the carpenters trade early in life and for fifteen years 
worked at his trade throughought various parts of the country. He was 
always recognized as a skilled mechanic, and not one of the "common 
garden variety" of carpenters. Mr. Casidy has been engaged in the 
hotel business since 1913, and on May 11, 1917, he took charge of the 
Hotel Ridgeway where he has since been successfully engaged in busi- 
ness. 

On November 26, 1905, Mr. Casidy was married to Miss Grace May 
Corrick a native of Van Buren County, Iowa and a daughter of Wesley 
L. Corrick and wife, both of whom were members of pioneer families of 
that section of Iowa. Mrs. Casidy's mother is nov/ deceased, and her 
father lives at Milton, Iowa. Mrs. Casidy is a throughly competent hotel 
woman, and her activities and supervision of the affairs of the new 
Ridgeway Hotel is an important factor in its success. 

Mr. Casidy is a member of the time honored Masonic Lodge and he 
has always supported the policies and principles of the Democratic 
party. 



L. H. Bussell, president of the bank of Mount Moriah and the leading 
merchant of that town and also one of the largest land owners of Har- 
rison County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Mercer County, 
March 24, 1864, a son of Elihu and Sarah Jane (Millner) Bussell.. the 
former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. 

Elihu Bussell came to Missouri in 1856 and settled in Mercer County. 
He was an extensive farmer and stockman and for a number of years was 
also engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Moriah. During the 
(35) 



626 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Civil War he served in the state militia. He died in 1887 and his wift) 
survived him for a number of years. She died in 1909. They were the 
parents of the following children: J. W., Osawatomie, Kansas; Mrs. 
Mary Mullens, Mercer County, Missouri ; Mrs. Julia Johnson, Franklin, 
Nebraska; J. M., Osawatomie, Kansas; S. R., St. Joseph, Missouri; and 
L. H., the subject of this sketch. 

L. H. Bussell was reared to manhood in Mercer County and received 
his education in the public schools. He began his business career with 
his father at a very early age and for nineteen years he was associated 
with his father in business. Since that time he has continued in the 
mercantile business at Mount Moriah. He is now engaged in the hard- 
ware furniture and undertaker business and does an extensive business. 
Mr. Bussell is the owner of about 2,000 acres of land in Harrison and 
Mercer counties and carries on farming and stock raising on an extensive 
scale. He has been president of the bank of Mount Moriah since 1909. 

Mr. Bussell was first mairied March 16, 1892 to Hattie Rock, of Mer- 
cer County, Missouri and two children were bom to that union: W. L., 
Graham, Missouri, and Mrs. Vivian Gofi:'man, Mount Moriah, Missouri. 
Mr. Bussell married for his second wife Miss Zelpha Ross, of Trail Creek 
Township. She is a daughter of James and Margaret (Lloyd) Ross, the 
former a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Bussell have been born three children as follow: Ross A., James L. and 
Francis Lee. 

Mr. Bussell is a Republican and a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Baptist Church. He is progressive 
and public spirited and one of the leading business men of Harrison 
County. 



Jesse E. Maize, deceased, who was one of the successful and enter- 
prising farmers of Butler Township, and proprietor of Happy Valley 
Fruit Farm, was born in Daviess County, Missouri, August 12, 1875, the 
son of George and Cemilda (Slaughter) Maize, who live at Coffey, Mis- 
souri. 

Jessie E. Maize was educated in the public schools and at the Chilli- 
cothe Normal College, and also took a short course at the University of 
Missouri at Columbia. He moved to the present home of his widow in 
1915, and made fine and extensive improvements on this place, erecting a 
large barn, machine shed, and other buildings. The residence was built 
before Mr. Maize came here by John Cunningham. Mr. Maize directed 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 627 

special attention to horticulture, and his efforts along this line were very 
encouraging and fruitful. He put out a thirty acre orchard, which is still 
in good condition and is being operated by Mrs. Maize and her son. This 
farm consists of 191 acres, and another place of 262^ acres, which is 
owned by Mrs. Maize, makes a total of 543| acres. The home place lies 
eight miles northeast of Pattonsburg and twelve miles southwest of Beth- 
any, and the residence is in the southeast corner of Butler Township. 
This is one of the best farms in this township. 

Jesse E. Maize was married January 24, 1900 to Mollie E. Meadows, 
a native of Daviess County, a daughter of J. T. and Mary E. (Everly) 
Meadows. The father was a native of Virginia and mother was born in 
Missouri and her parents came from Pennsylvania.. Mr. Meadows was 
born in Virginia, and died, December 17, 1920, in Daviess County, at the 
age of eighty-three years. His widow lives on the home place in Daviess 
County, and is in her 81st year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Maize were the parents of five children: Glenn W., who 
now operates the home farm with Mrs. Maize, and is a senior in the 
Pattonsburg High School; Mary Rhea, also a student in the Pattonsburg 
High School, in her junior year; Russell B., Mildred H. and Jewell C. 

The Happy Valley Fruit Farm is one of the prettiest farms in the 
county, and a Delco light plant furinshes light for the residence, all out- 
buildings, poultry houses, yard, and a big light on the barn. 

Jesse Maize was well known in the county and was one of the pro- 
gressive and energetic citizens of this township. He died Februarj- 24, 
1921. 



Harry C. Jones, the editor and publisher of the Ridgeway Journal and 
the present mayor of Ridgeway was born in Apollo, Armstrong County, 
Pennsylvania, April 26, 1879, the son of Thomas H. and Amelia (Pamley) 
Jones, the former a native of Wales and the latter born in England. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jones were married in England and came to the United 
States in 1878. They settled in Pennsylvania for a while but came west 
in 1882 where they settled first in Dakota Territory later moving to Iowa 
where they settled at Mt. Ayr in 1888. In 1890 they came to Missouri and 
settled at Eagleville, Harrison County, where they both died, Mrs. Jones 
on February 4, 1901 and Mr. Jones on December 15, 1905. Thomas H. 
Jones v.'as a minister. In his early life he was identified with the Baptist 
Church but later became a member of the Christian Church. He preached 



628 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

at Eagleville and remained active in his work in the ministry until within 
a year of his death. To the union of Thomas H. and Ameha (Pamley) 
Jones six children were born: Ernest, hving at Sioux City, Iowa; Amy, 
now Mrs. Richards of Morton, Washington; Norman P., died at the age of 
forty in St. Joseph and buried at Eagleville; Pveginald M., died July 4, 
1898 at Camp Alger, West Virginia and is buried in Arlington Cemetery, 
was a member of Company C, 4th Missouri Infantry in the Spanish Amer- 
ican War; Herbert P., living at Eagleville; Tom L., died at the age of 
twenty-four and is buried at Eagleville; and Harry C, the subject of this 
review. 

Harry C. Jones was educated in the school at Eagleville and started 
to work at the printing trade when he was fourteen years old. He worked 
first for the Eagleville Monitor and later on the Blythedale Review. After 
this he worked on the Eagleville Sentinel and then went to Walker, lov/a, 
where he was connected with the Walker News, later moving to Marion, 
Iowa, where he was on the Marion Pilot. He left Iowa and went to Ren- 
frew, Oklahoma, where he was on the Renfrow Tribune when the Spanish- 
American War began. He at once enlisted for service in the United States 
army and was in Company F, 17th United States Infantry and served for 
twenty-eight months. He was in the Philippines where he fought agahist 
the Moros under General Wood. He was discharged in the Philippines, 
March 5, 1902 after three years of service and returned to Eagleville. He 
worked at his trade in numerous places and in 1905 he came to Ridgeway. 
Here he worked on the Ridgeway Journal until May, 1907, when he went 
to Bethany and began work on the Republican there. He remained on this 
work for a year and then returned to his position with the Ridgeway 
Journal. 

The Ridgeway Journal was founded more than thirty years ago by 
C. M. Jaqua who steered the destiny of the sheet for fifteen years, selling 
out in March, 1906, to the late Frank Daugherty, who remained at the 
helm until October, 1907, when Ed Eaton assumed the ownership. F. M. 
Spragg and Son purchased the paper from Mr. Eaton in October, 1909, and 
retained the ownership for four years, selling in August, 1913 to the 
present owner, the subject of this sketch. 

Harry C. Jones was married November 29, 1906 to Esther A. Ury, of 
Eagleville, a daughter of C. D. Ury, now living at Ridgeway. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones have two children: Claudia Florence, eleven years of age and at- 
tending the public school ; and Harriette Charline, aged four years. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 629 

Mr. Jones is a life long Republican. He is a member of the Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons lodge. He is also a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America and is an adherent of the Christian Church. He 
has served in various official capacities in Ridgeway and has proved him- 
self most efficient in all of them. He was alderman for a time, was the 
city clerk and the city collector for a term and, in 1919, he was elected 
mayor to fill an unexpired term of his predecessor. In 1920 he was re- 
elected for a term of two years. He is a man of varied experience and 
wide training. 



George W. Wooderson, a successful farmer and stockman of Fox 
Creek Township and member of a pioneer family of this section, was born 
in this township, January 20, 1861, the son of William and Sarah (Rubert) 
Wooderson. Mrs. Wooderson was a daughter of Eli and Jane Rupert 
and she now lives at Mt. Moriah at the age of eighty-four years. William 
Wooderson died August 20, 1899. He was born in Ohio, July 31, 1837 
and came to Missouri with his parents about 1848 and settled in Mercer 
County, but later located in Harrison County where he did general farm- 
ing and, at one time, was trustee of Fox Creek Tovraship. Eli and Jane 
Rubert, grandparents of George Wooderson, also settled in Mercer County, 
where they died and are buried in St. Paul Cemetery. 

William Wooderson and wife were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: George W., the subject of this sketch; Ehza, the wife of Henry 
Nelson, of Mt. Moriah ; Alice Wooderson, of Mt. Moriah ; Albert, of Sher- 
man Township; Charlie, on the home place; Ed, of Spickardville, Mis- 
souri; Frank, of Fox Creek Township; and Jennie, the wife of Emmett 
Sallee, of Bethany, Missouri. 

George Wooderson was educated in Fox Creek Township, and after 
finishing school, he improved a farm which he had purchased in Mercer 
County and lived there for seventeen years. He bought his present farm 
of 200 acres, ten miles east of Bethany, in 1907 and has made his home 
here ever since. The farm is well improved with residence, good bam 
and sheep barns, and there is an ample supply of water, good shade and 
every natural condition, contributing to an ideal stock farm. Mr. Wonder- 
son does general farming and raises cattle, hogs and Shropshire sheep. 

George W. Wooderson was married April 3, 1890 to Eldora Carpenter, 
a daughter of Alfred Colfax and Mary K. (Chaney) Carpenter. Alfred 
Colfax Carpenter and wife were early settlers of Trail Creek Township, 



630 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and Mr. Carpenter was a member of the county court at the time the 
townships were organized and named, and Colfax Township was named in 
his honor. 

Mrs. Wooderson was born near Ridgeway, March 20, 1866 and died 
January 14, 1921 and is buried at Sharon Chapel. Mr. and Mrs. Wooder- 
son were the parents of one child, Chloe, the wife of Clayton Nickerson. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson were married February 6, 1921 and they make 
their home with Mr. Wooderson. Mr. Nickerson is the son of George 
W. Nickerson, of Bethany Township. 

Mr. Wooderson is progressive and enterprising and a substantial 
citizen. He is a Republican and is a member of the Free Methodist 
Church and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



Judge John B. Bryant, a well known citizen of Cypress Township, and 
a native of this county was born in Bethany, Missouri, August 20, 1870, 
the son of Joseph F. and Rhoda J. (Minnis) Bryant, both deceased. Joseph 
Bryant was born in Indiana in 1841 and came to Bethany when nine years 
of age with his father, Stephen Bryant, who eventually located in Cypress 
Township, where he lived until his death. Joseph Bryant was at one 
time prosecuting attorney of this county, also judge of the county court, 
and was also probate judge. He was widely known in the county. He 
died in January, 1917 and he and his wife ai-e buried at Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bryant were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: John B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Cora B. Neal of St. Joseph, 
Missouri ; S. 0. of Bethany, Missoui-i ; Mrs. Pauline Martin of Los Angeles, 
California; Joseph of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Lizzie Reed of Wash- 
ington; William P., of Bethany; Mrs. Elsie Endsley, George, Bertram and 
Howell, all of California. The first three children were by Mr. Bryant's 
first marriage, and the remainder were by his second marriage to Anna 
E. Robinson. 

John B. Bryant was educated in Bethany, Missouri schools and at 
Woodland College at Independence, Missouri. He began farming in Cy- 
press Township, after his education, and later moved to Bethany and 
engaged in the gi'ocery business for five years. He was elected county 
judge and served two terms, from 1904 to 1908, and lived on the fai-m 
while holding this office. Mr. Bryant is living on his farm of 377 acres, 
five miles south of Bethany on the Gallatin, county seat road. This is 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 631 

an excellent farm, with fine improvements, including two residences, five 
barns, etc. 

Mr. Bryant was married in 1890 to Carrie E. Howell, a daughter of 
Judge John C. Howell foraner circuit judge of this district. She was bom 
in Bethany, and received her education here. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have two children: Marie, the wife of Ray 
Webb of St. Louis, Missouri, who is in the express business; and Helen, 
a graduate of the Bethany High School of class 1921, and who lives with 
her parents. 

The Bryant family are interesting and substantial citizens of Harri- 
son County. 



Daniel Smothers, president of the Commercial State Bank of Ridge- 
way, is one of the prominent and well-to-do farmers and stockmen of 
Harrison County. He was born in Mercer County, Missouri, September 
7, 1866, a son of Joseph and Louisa Dorothy (Wise) Smothers, early 
settlers of Mercer County, Missouri. 

Joseph Smothers came to Harrison County in 1867 and settled in 
Trail Creek Township where he was engaged in farming and stock rais- 
ing for a number of years and is now deceased. He served as i*egistrar 
5f Harrison County for four years. His widow, who was a native of West 
Virginia now lives on the old home place in Trail Creek Township. 

To Joseph and Louisa Dorothy (Wise) Smothers were born the fol- 
lowing children: Jane, who married Frank Buis and lives in Putman 
County, Missouri ; Emigette, married Ed. Norwood, of Trail Creek Tovra- 
ship ; Mrs. Mary Leggett, Mount Moriah, Missouri ; Anna, married Frank 
Springer and they live in Colorado; and Daniel, the subject of this sketch. 

Daniel Smothers was about six months old when the family settled 
in Trail Creek Township. He was reared on the home place and edu- 
cated in the district schools. He early acquired a knowledge of farming 
and stock raising and began farming for himself on rented land when he 
was about nineteen years old. Three years later, in 1888, he bought a 
farai of eighty acres which is a part of his present place. He acquired 
more land from time to time and now owns a valuable farm of two hun- 
dred eighty acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising and 
is one of the successful farmers of the county. 

Mr. Smothers was married November 24, 1885, to Miss Rosa B. Glaze, 
a native of Harrison County and a daughter of T. W. Glaze, an early settler 



632 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of Trail Creek Township and now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Smothers 
have been born two children, as follows : G. T., cashier of the Commercial 
State Bank of Ridgeway and a sketch of whom appears in this volume 
and Jessie Merle. 

Mr. Smothers is a member of the Methodist Church and is a Repub- 
lican. 



George W. Garten, member of an old pioneer family of Harrison 
County, was bom January 31, 1865, on the farm where he now lives two 
miles west of Bethany on the South West Trails road. His farm of 100 
acres is a part of the old home place of his father, David Garton, one 
of the intrepid settlers of the early days in the county. David Garton 
was born in Ohio, January 10, 1817, and came to Harrison County about 
1840, before the town of Bethany was laid out. He entered land and 
became a progressive farmer and stockman, breeding draft horses and 
mules and raising Durham cattle. He owned nearly 300 acres of land, 
and was one of the well known men of his day. He maiTied Neaty Tucker 
who was born June 8, 1823. She died July 24, 1909, her husband having 
died April 17, 1874. The remains of both are buried in Miriam Cemetery. 
Their children are: Thomas J., born April 8, 1843, and living in Ray, 
Colorado; James P., born March 4, 1846, and died March 14, 1914; Martha 
J., bom July 23, 1848, married twice, first to Elda Price, and the second 
time to Reverend W. H. Williams, and died February 12, 1912; William A., 
born April 19, 1850, died January 24, 1870; Mary E., bom October 16. 
1852, now the widow of James Rhay; Alexander H., born March 26, 1855, 
died September 8, 1887 ; Sarah K., born August 8, 1858, and died in April, 
1914 ; David F., born June 5, 1861, now a resident of Paris, Texas ; George 
W., the subject of this review; and Andy, born April 24, 1868, and now 
living in Colorado. 

George W. Garton was educated in the schools of Harrison County 
and, with the exception of four years, has always lived on his present 
farm. He bought the 100 acres he now owns from the David Garton 
heirs and has improved the farm extensively. He has a good residence 
and good farm buildings, and is a successful farmer of the township. 

George W. Garton was married April 17, 1898, to Amanda Garton of 
Centerville, Iowa, a daughter of Isreal and Martha (Harris) Garton, both 
deceased. Isreal Garton was born in Madison County, Ohio, April 6, 
1829, and died in Harrison County, Missouri, November 25, 1911. His 



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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 633 

wife was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 15, 1837, and died 
in Harrison County, Missouri, December 14, 1914. The remains of both 
are buried in Miriam Cemetery. Their children are: Ada, wife of George 
Buchanan, Centerville, Iowa; Ida, wife of Walter Carton of Bethany; 
Albert, living in Rolla, Kansas ; Harland, of Richland, Michigan ; Amanda, 
wife of the subject of this sketch ; Percy, a resident of Richfield, Kansas ; 
Charhe, living in Shields, Kansas ; May, wife of J. E. Whittaker of Beth- 
any; and Harry, living at Bethany. 

To George W. Carton and Amanda (Carton) Carton these children 
have been born; Harold a student in the University of Missouri at Co- 
lumbia; and Dwight, at home. 

Mr. Garton is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the 
Christian Church. His wife is a member of the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, being a descendant, on her mother's side of Matthew 
Fuller, a soldier of the Revolution. The Garton name has always been 
highly esteemed in the community. 



E. A. Miner, treasurer of the Miner and Frees Lumber Company, of 
Ridgeway, Missouri, is one of the leading young business men of Harrison 
County. He was born at Ridgeway, January 16, 1894, a son of W. A. 
Miner, now deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. 

E. A. Miner was reared in Ridgeway and attended the public schools. 
He was graduated from the Ridgeway High School in the class of 1909. 
He then attended the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri, and 
later entered the University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri, where he 
was graduated in the class of 1914. 

After completing his college course, Mr. Miner returned to Ridgeway 
and went to work in the lumber yard of the Miner and Frees Lumber Com- 
pany. He also sold automobiles for a time. He was employed in the lum- 
ber yard at Ridgeway, when the United States entered the World War and 
on May 7, 1917, he entered the Officers' Training Camp, at Fort Riley, 
Kansas. After taking the prescribed course in military training he was 
commissioned second lieutenant. He was first assigned to the quarter- 
master department and for two months he was one of the paymasters at 
Camp Funston. He was then transferred to the Motor Transport Corps at 
Jacksonville, Florida. He organized Truck Company No. 44 at Jackson- 
ville. He was then sent to Camp Wadsworth, Spartansburg, South Caro- 
lina, where he did convoy duty and general camp service for six months. 



634 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

He was then sent with a detail of fifteen men to Springfield, Massachusetts, 
where he was engaged in motorcycle work for a time when he was re- 
turned to South Carolina. He then was transferred to Detroit, Michigan, 
where he was given enough recruits and organized C Company, 429th 
Motor Supply Train. From Detroit he went to Camp Holabird at Balti- 
more, Maryland, and from there he went with sixty trucks to Camp Mills, 
Long Island, where he was discharged December 18, 1918. 

After returning from the army Mr. Miner was made manager for the 
Miner and Frees Lumber Company at Leon, Iowa. He remained there until 
August, 1919, when he was transferred to the general ofiace of the company 
at Ridgeway and became treasurer of the company in April, 1920. 

Mr. Miner was married June 21, 1915, to Miss Cecil L. Switzer, of 
Ridgeway. To Mr. and Mrs. Miner have been born two children, Mildred 
and Martha. 

Mr. Miner is a Knights Templar Mason and is a Shriner. He is a Re- 
publican and a member of the Christian Church and is widely and favorably 
known. 



I. W, Maple, of Ridgeway, Missouri, is the well known and popular 
proprietor of the Rex Theater of Ridgeway, and the Elite Theater of Beth- 
any, two of the leading motion picture houses of Harrison County. Mr. 
Maple is a native of Harrison County and was born at old Boulton, Novem- 
ber, 12, 1870. He is a son of John and Annie E. (Howerton) Maple, the 
former a native of Rushville, Indiana, and the latter of Knox County, Mis- 
souri. 

John Maple came to Harrison County about 1861 and during the Civil 
War served as a member of the Home Guards. He followed farming and 
stock raising at Old Boulton until 1880. He then moved to near Ridgeway 
and spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity. He died August 21, 
1918 and his wife departed this life two days later. They were the parents 
of the following children : I. W., the subject of this sketch ; Ocie M.. Ridge- 
way, Missouri and Robert E., New Hampton. 

Elijah Maple, grandfather of I. W. Maple, came to Harrison County a 
few years after his son, John Maple, settled here. He died August 15, 
1884. His wife preceded him in death several years, having did in 1870. 

I. W. Maple was reared in Harrison County and educated in the pub- 
lic schools and the Kirksville State Normal School. He taught school in 
Harrison County for several years and at the same time was interested 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 635 

in farming. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Ridgeway 
from 1906 to 1909. He then followed farming for four years. In 1913 
he built his present moving picture theater in Ridgeway which is known 
as the Rex Theater. It has a seating capacity of four hundred. Later 
Mr. Maple acquired the Elite Theater at Bethany. Mr. Maple is an ex- 
perienced moving picture man and has a well merited reputation for giv- 
ing the public the best on the market in moving pictures. His pictures 
are always of a clean, high class character. 

Mr. Maple was married June 24, 1894, to Miss Lenore Crosby of Har- 
rison County. She is a daughter of George W. Crosby, of Marion Town- 
ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Maple have been born the following children: 
Lloyd E., who conducts an oil station for the Standard Oil Company at 
Fairfax, Mis.souri; Leona, resides at home; Lester M., manager of the 
Elite Theater, Bethany; Virgil, died at the age of twelve years; Erdene, 
at home ; John ; Lionel, died at the age of two years ; Mildred, Bannie and 
Evelyn. 

Mr. Maple is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yoemen. 
He is an enterprising citizen and deserving of success. 



Ora Critchfield," a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman 
of Grant Township is a native of Iowa. He was born in Lucas County, 
June 30, 1887, a son of Robert and Frances (Forster) Critchfield. 

Robert Critchfield was born in Pennsylvania and came west with his 
parents who settled in Iowa where he grew to manhood. He came to 
Harrison County, Missouri, in 1901, and bought the old Jim Baker place 
from Judge Reeves. He followed farming and stock raising in this county 
for some years when he removed to Geary, Oklahoma, and spent the re- 
mainder of his hfe there. He died in 1912 and the mother now resides 
at Geary, Oklahoma. They were the parents of four children as follows: 
Stella, married J. O. Gardner and they live in Colorado; Gladys, married 
W. W. Terrell and they live in Iowa ; Herbert, lives in Oklahoma ; and Ora, 
the subject of this sketch. 

Ora Critchfield was about fifteen years old when the family settled 
in Harrison County. He was educated in the public schools of Iowa and 
Missouri and has made farming and stock raising the chief occupation of 
his life. He has a farm of ninety acres in Grant Township and carries 
on farming and stock raising. This is the old Small place and is one of 



636 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the historic old places of Hai-rison County and was settled at an early 
date. Mr. Critchfield was married May 10, 1910, to Miss Bessie Small, 
daughter of Theron Small who was one of the prominent early settlers 
of Harrison County and is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Critchfield 
have been born two children as follows: Clairon and Cleora. 

Mr. Critchfield is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
has always been identified with the Republican party. 



Ben Reeves, a pioneer business man of Ridgeway, is a native of Har- 
rison County and belongs to one of the very early pioneer families of this 
section. He was born at Cainsville, Missouri, January 1, 1863 and is a 
son of William and Hallie (Oxford) Reeves. 

William Reeves was a native of Tennessee and his wife was born in 
Harrison County. They were the parents of three children as follows: 
Lawne, who died in childhood ; Mrs. Lambert Briggs, of Kansas City, Mis- 
souri ; and Ben, the subject of this sketch. The father died at Cainsville 
in 1870, and the mother afterwards married D. S. Rardin, Sr., father of 
D. S. Rardin, Jr., who is now engaged in the produce business at Ridge- 
way, Missouri, and a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Shortly 
after their marriage the family removed to Ridgeway. This was before 
the railroad was completed to this place and at that time there were only 
two farm houses in the vicinity of what is now Ridgeway. One of these 
stood where S. D. Rardin's produce house is now located. Upon coming 
here Mr. Rardin built a small store where the telephone office is now 
located. After the town was laid out and platted he erected a store build- 
ing where Ollie Bennett is now located and was engaged in the mercantile 
business there for a number of years. His business developed rapidly from 
the start and he was one of the successful merchants of this section as 
well as the first man to engage in the mercantile business in Ridgeway. 
He retired from active business about fifteen years prior to his death 
which occurred in 1920. He was active in the early day affairs of Ridge- 
way and Harrison County and was known and is remembered as one of 
the early day prominent Democrats of Harrison County. His widow now 
resides at Ridgeway and makes her home with her son, Ben Reeves whose 
name introduces this sketch. She is one of the honored pioneer women of 
Harrison County who has seen this county develop almost from the be- 
ginning to become one of the leading counties of the state and during all 
these years she has done her part nobly and well. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 637 

Ben Reeves was educated in the public schools of Hamson County 
and in early life learned the harness makers trade in his stepfather's store 
and harness shop of Ridgeway. He worked there for two years wnen 
he engaged in the hardware, harness and implement business with his 
brother-in-law, Lambert Briggs. This was about thirty years ago and 
later Mr. Reeves became the sole owner of the business which he has con- 
ducted until the present time. He has made more harness than any other 
dealer or manufacturer in Harrison County and has always carried a com- 
plete line of harness. Mr. Reeves has been in business longer than any 
other merchant in Ridgeway and always has done an extensive business. 
The Reeves hardware and harness store is widely known throughout Har- 
rison County and as a business man Mr. Reeves is well known for his 
integrity. 

Mr. Reeves was married in 1884 to Miss Ida Rardin, a daughter of 
S. D. Rardin and his first wife. They have no children. 

During Mr. Reeves' business career he has always stood ready to con- 
tribute to the betterment and upbuilding of his town and community. 
Only a few years ago when Ridgeway was in need of a good hotel Mr. 
Reeves was one of the five local business men who came forward and 
backed the project with their money and today Ridgeway has one of the 
best little hotels in the country. The others who were associated with 
him in this enterprise were Messrs. Miner, Neff, Bennett and Doctor 
Stoughten. 

Mr. Reeves is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Brotherhood of American Yoeman. He is progressive, 
public spirited and one of the valued citizens of Harrison County. 



J. M. Gates, a well known farmer and stockman who owns and is 
successfully operating 160 acres of land in Grant Township, is a native 
of New York. He was born near Utica, December 30, 1880, a son of 
John and Anna E. (Hardell) Gates. 

John Gates is now living retired at Bethany, Missouri. He was born 
in Germany, November 8, 1849 and was reared and educated in his native 
land. He came to America, landing in New York, January 16, 1870. 
Shortly afterward he settled near Utica, New York, where he was engaged 
in farming until 1885. He then came to Harrison County, Missouri, and 
bought a farm in Grant Tovraship which is now owned by J. M. Gates of 
this review. He followed general farming and dairying until 1906, when 



638 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

he retired and removed to Bethany, where he has since resided. John 
Gates has always been active in church and Sunday school work. He is a 
member of the Methodist Church and has perhaps organized more Sunday 
schools than any other man in Harrison County. 

To John and Anna E. (Hardell) Gates, have been bom the following 
children: Lilly Elizabeth, married William Marten and they live near 
Bethany; J. M., the subject of this sketch; Samuel A., lives near James- 
port, Missouri; Martin lives in Harrison County; George D., Jamesport, 
Missouri; and William D., Jamesport, Missouri. 

J. M. Gates was about five years old when his parents settled in Har- 
rison County. He was reared to manhood on the home place and was 
educated in the public schools, attending school in the Greencastle dis- 
trict. After reaching manhood he farmed rented land for a time and 
in the meantime bought land in Texas. Later he disposed of his Texas 
land and in 1919 he bought the old home place which consists of 160 
acres in Grant Township. This is one of the valuable farms of Harrison 
County and is well improved, having a good residence and other substan- 
tial farm buildings. Mr. Gates carries on general farming and stock- 
raising and has been successful in his undertakings. He does quite an 
extensive dairy business and raises pure bred Poland China hogs. 

Mr. Gates was married in 1901 to Miss Katie Keach, of Fox Creek 
Township. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gates as follows: 
Lee Oliver, Arthur, Delmar, Garland, Glynn, and Marvin. 

Mr. Gates is public spirited and enterprising and one of Harrison 
County's representative citizens. 



F, D. French a progressive and enterprising'^ farmer and stockman ol 
Trail Creek Township who owns and operates a farm in partnership with 
Orville Brown, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born at Gratiot, Wis- 
consin, December 5, 1863, a son of Charles and Ellen (Trachout) French. 

Charles French was a native of Vermont and when a young man went 
to Wisconsin before the Civil War and was married in that state. When 
the Civil War broke out he enlisted in a Wisconsin Regiment and while 
in the service he was severely wounded which resulted in crippling one of 
his hands. He was then discharged for disability and went to Iowa and 
located in Webster County. He drove stage for a time between Fort 
Dodge and Sioux City. However, he lived but a few years after the war. 
He died from tuberculosis contracted while in the service. His wife died 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 639 

in 1870, when F. D. French of this review was about seven years old, 
leaving one other child, Seth, who was two years younger. He died at 
the age of eleven years. 

F. D. French was left an orphan at an early age and was reared in 
Webster and Calhoun Counties, Iowa and attended the public schools 
until he was sixteen year of age. He then went to Des Moines where 
he learned the steam fitters trade and worked at that about thirty-five 
years. In 1919, he engaged n farming near Leon, Iowa, and at the same 
time worked at his trade. In 1919 he and Orville Brown bought the old 
Taylor place in Trail Creek Tov/nship which they are operating in part- 
nership. They own 120 acres of valuable land upon which they have 
placed a number of improvements since coming here including a new 
barn, machine shop and garage. They have fenced and cross-fenced the 
place and it is one of the highly improved farms of the township. They 
carry on general farming and stock raising and will eventually raise only 
Jersey and Holstein cattle. 

Mr. French was married in 1893 to Miss Florence Betherd, a native 
of Circleville, Ohio. She went west from her native state with her par- 
ents when she was about twelve years old. Her father died in Decatur 
County, Iowa, and her mother now resides in that county. Mr. and Mrs. 
French have no children. 



Frank J. Sweet, now deceased, was a successful farmer and stock- 
man and was killed by lightning on the home place which Mrs. Sweet 
now operates, April 1, 1897. He was born in Carroll County, Iowa, a son of 
John and Lucinda (Hatch) Sweet, the former a native of Delaware and 
the latter of New York. He received his education in the public schools 
of Iowa and for a time was engaged in farming in Taylor County, that 
state. In 1893, Mr. Sweet came to Harrison County with his family and 
bought 233 1-3 acres of land in Marion Township, where he was engaged 
in farming and stock raising at the time of his death. He was a Re- 
publican and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a dependable 
citizen and stood high in the communtiy. 

Frank J. Sweet and Miss Ella Cary were married in 1884. She was 
born in McLean County, Illinois, and is a daughter of John M. and Barbara 
(Locer) Cary, both natives of Indiana. They moved to northwestern 
Iowa at an early day and in the early nineties they came to Missouri and 



640 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

settled in Caldwell County where the father died in 1911. The mother 
now resides in that county. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Sweet were born the following childm: Iva June, 
married Frank Stanley, a farmer and stockman of Marion Township; 
Susie married Frank Caregie, Harland, Montana; Adelbert, Des Moines, 
Iowa and Tressie, married Millard Champlin, who operates the home 
place with Mrs. Sweet. 

The Sweet farm is a well improved and valuable place and is located 
about four miles from Ridgeway in Marion Township. Mrs. Sweet and 
her son-in-law, Mr. Champlin, carries on general farming and stock rais- 
ing. They raise Duroc Jersey hogs. 

Mrs. Sweet is an estimable woman and has many friends in Ridge- 
way and vicinity. 



Walter J. Wightman, among the representative newspaper people 
of north Missouri who have founded county newspapers of wide influence, 
throught long years of earnest and well directed labors, and attained 
the very highest esteem and respect of their contemporaries, is the Whit- 
man family of the thriving little city of Bethany, Missouri. 

This family has held a very creditable record in the field of journal- 
ism for many years and as the years have passed they have constantly 
elevated the standard of the newspaper journalism. 

The Wightman family originated in England. The father, Walter J. 
Wightman was born in London, September 16, 1845. He left the place of 
his nativity when he was 19 years of age and came to the United States, 
landing here in December 1863. He was married in Philadelphia, March 
11, 1865, to Miss Isabel Freeman. Mrs. Wightman's native home was in 
Lower Canada and the date of her birth September 2, 1846. After their 
marriage they returned to his old home in London, remaining there four 
years during which time the eldest son and daughter were born. They 
then returned to America and located at Garden Grove, Iowa. During 
their residence there from 1870 to 1874 Mr. Wightman edited the town 
paper. He moved from Garden Grove to Eagleville, then to Bethany, 
etumed to Eagleville and established the Eagleville Clipper, which 
he published two years. He then went to Blythedale, where he owned 
and edited the Blythedale Clipper. 

In 1882 the family established a permanent residence in Bethany 
where Mr. Wightm.an continued in the newspaper business until his death 



ra 



o 











HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 641 

which occurred December 3, 1903. He founded and conducted the Beth- 
any Clipper from January, 1883 to December, 1887, when it was con- 
solidated with the Bethany Republican of which Mr. Wightman was busi- 
ness manager and editor the remainder of his life. 

Walter J. Wightman was an unusually capable newspaper man and all 
during his active career he was regarded as one of the strongest editorial 
writers in the Northwest Press Association. His editorials v/ere copied in 
many city papers and in the county exchanges. His pronounced views 
conscientiously and fearlessly set forth in his writings upon all the ques- 
tions of the day made for him an enviable reputation among the people of 
the state. His political views were Republican and while he never sought 
to be a Leader, there was that in him which commanded following. He was 
incorruptible as a political leader and held high station in the political 
party of his choice. He was a member of its State Committee for years, 
chosen and held there for his wisdom, his integrity and his devotion to its 
principles— servant to be trusted, and on whose judgment there could be 
reliance. And in his capacity as political editor his paper spoke to the 
people as did he in the counsels of his party. He was a modest and unas- 
suming man, his writings were eloquent of his subject but never of himself. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wightman were active members in the Methodist 
Church, Mrs. Wightman occupying the place of a stev/ard in the church, 
always prominent in benevolent and charitable affairs, but especially re- 
vered and valued for her devoted services to the temperance cause. She 
was a member of the W. C. T. U., the Woman's Relief Corps and the 
Eastern Star. She was an active worker for woman's suffrage and was 
sent as delegate from this district to the national convention a few years 
before her death. Mr. Wightman was a member of the Masonic order, 
the degree of Knight Templar having been conferred upon him. They 
were the parents of eight children: W. Samuel, Alice M., wife of W. L.. 
Blackburn, of Elk City, Oklahoma; Elizabeth S., wife of A. F. Cushman,, 
of Bethany, Missouri; Annie Isabel, Ada L., Edwin Lincoln, Perrin Glad- 
stone and Mary M. 

Mrs. Alice Wightman Blackburn inherited her father's versatility and 
found perfect delight in the newspaper work. She worked in her father's 
office while in her teens and after her marriage and removal to Oklahoma 
she contributed to a large number of papers and periodicals for several 
years until she ultimately established a newspaper of her own — The Elk 
City News-Democrat. There is probably not a woman writer in the state 
(36) 



642 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of Oklahoma so well and affectionately known as "Aunt Alice" or "Sun- 
sine Alice," the nom-de-plume under which she frequently writes. She 
possesses the happy faculty of "looking on the bright side" and reaching 
the hearts of the common people. 

Upon the death of the father the eldest son, W. Samuel Wightman 
became editor and manager of the Bethany Republican but soon thereafter 
he and his talented sister, Miss Ada, established the Bethany Clipper ; the 
first edition was published October 14, 1905. Mr. Wightman continued 
senior editor and business manager up to his death, November 4, 1917. He 
was born in London, February 16, 1867. He was married to Miss Clara 
M. Coverston September 21, 1889 and to this union four children were 
born: Nina M., now Mi's. Clarence Cowan of St. Joseph; Paul, who died 
in infancy; Edwin, Samuel and Ruth. He joined the Methodist Church 
in 1887 and continued a member until his death. Mr. Wightman worked 
with his father in offices at Eagleville, Blythedale and Bethany. He never 
attended school after nine years of age but in the office gained a practical 
education and was known all over north Missouri as a master printer, one 
of the best in the profession, one of the best mechanics and job artists 
in the state. His newspaper was a model of typographical neatness and 
art. 

He was also a writer with the vigorous style necessary to the success 
which he had achieved in the profession to which he was so devoted. He 
had from boyhood been active in Republican politics of his county, being 
also candidate for the Progressive party for Congress in this district, 
when the party split temporarily in 1912. He was treasurer of the city 
of Bethany for ten years. He was a member of the Missouri Press Asso- 
ciation, Bethany Commercial Club, Bethany Fire Company, also belonged 
to the Modern Woodmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights 
of Pythias lodges. His son, Edwin, has followed his father's example and 
has worked in the Clipper office for a number of years and although a 
young man yet, he is a very competent, artistic and painstaking com- 
positor. He was a volunteer in the war and saw active service both on 
the Mexican border and in France. He is at present taking a complete 
course in journalism at Missouri University. 

The history of the Northwest Missouri Press gives honorable mention 
to several women journalists, but perhaps none in that field made a more 
distinctive success than Ada L. Wightman who in partnership with her 
brother, W. Sam, founded the Bethany Clipper. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 643 

She was born at Bethany, Missouri, August 19, 1876, lived in Eagle- 
ville and Blythedale until six years of age. The rest of her life was spent 
in Bethany. She died February 6, 1920. She was graduated from the 
Bethany High School at the age of sixteen. She at once went into her 
father's printing office, learned to set type at the case, helped with the 
other mechanical work and began immediately on her editorial career. 
Miss Wightman became a thorough newspaper woman, perhaps the most 
noted woman journalist in the state. She has left the impress of her 
life upon the county and state. She was consecrated and wholly devoted 
tu her chosen profession, a versatile, firm, aggressive writer, loyally help- 
ing and encouraging every progressive movement in city or county, pro- 
moting everything that would make for a better and bigger Bethany. 
"The Best Town On the Map" was the motto she adopted with the first 
issue of the Clipper. 

She was frank, candid, clean and wholesome, her mind a rich store- 
house and her face constantly toward the sunshine. She loved the people 
of Bethany and lived for them. All this together with her gentle kindli- 
ness, which touched life always at every point with fine spirit and courage, 
caused the Clipper to be known, sought for and read in more homes in 
North Missouri than any other paper in its territory. After the death 
of her parents Miss Wightman was the eldest child at home and was left 
with the responsibility of home management and the care of a younger 
brother and sister and at the same time she carried on her professiona,! 
duties. 

Miss Ada was a member of the Methodist Church since she was six- 
teen years old, serving long terms as president of the Epworth League 
and superintendent of the Junior League. She was a member of the Order 
of the Eastern Star and had affiliations with some insurance orders. She 
had distinct leanings toward the general policies of the Progressive 
political party largely because they favored woman suffrage and prohi- 
bition. 

Her loyal, womanly devotion to her home, her church and to humanity 
gave her a place in the hearts and thoughts of all with whom she formed 
acquaintanceship. 

And thus was the Bethany Clipper founded by editors who laid the 
foundations deep and wide, the purpose being to help to make good people, 
good homes and good morals in the community. It stands for the right, 
insists upon the right regardless of advocates or opposition. 



644 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Through generation after generation nature repeats the call and when 
Miss Ada's mantle fell upon the shoulders of her brother Pen-in and her 
sister Miss Mary, they buckled on their swords, rose to the occasion, and 
today the Bethany Clipper continues to flourish and is ambitious to attain 
to even greater heights of wisdom and helpfulness. 



Perrin Gladstone Wightman was born in Bethany, Missouri, October 
26, 1885. Married Miss Margaret Crowley in St. Louis, February 1, 1911. 
They have two little daughters, Isabel Margaret and Marian Crowley. 

P. G. has spent his life in Bethany except about eight years when 
he was with Woodward and Tiernan, of St. Louis, one of the largest 
job printing plants in the west. He worked in the mechanical depart- 
ment of the Clipper when it was first organized and again went into 
the office and assumed the management two years before the death of 
his brother Sam. His national propensity, the talents he inherited froni. 
his forbears, and his large experience in city offices, all combine to make 
him a most efficient master printer and an exceptionally capable manager. 
He excels in business ability but is also a writer of force, power and clarity. 
The Clipper now has an immense circulation, far beyond the fondest 
dreams of its founders. Its subscribers are not only the representative 
people of Bethany and vicinity but are also well distributed over a large 
area and hence the paper is considered an excellent advertising medium. 

Mr. Wightman, like his father and brother, is a Republican in politics. 
He is secretary of the Republican Central Committee. He devotes him- 
self almost exclusively to his newspaper work but is efficient in any 
capacity. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Missouri Press 
Association and president of the Northwest Press Association. His reli- 
gious connection is with the Methodist Church. He is a man honorable 
and sincere in all his dealings, is in full fellowship with honest toil and as 
a citizen he commands high regard of his fellows. 



Mary M. Wightman was born September 20, 1889. She was educated 
in the Bethany school and Missouri Wesleyan College at Cameron, Mis- 
souri. Miss Mary succeeded Miss Ada as editor of the Clipper and, coming 
from a long line of journalists, she fits naturally and easily into the posi- 
tion and serves her high calling with ability and distinction. Miss Wight- 
man is an educated, refined, cultured young lady of genial and gracious 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 645 

persoJiality and her circle of friends is limited only by her acquaintanc-es. 
Her judgment is mature and she possesses marked tact and ability for 
one of her years. She is a fluent writer, eloquent and versatile, and gives 
promise of making a brilliant record in journalism. She is addicted to no 
affections or ostentation, but is thoroughly business-like and bends every 
energy to the betterment of her associates and the community at large. 

Energy, enterprise and the ability to perceive and to suuply on the 
shortest notice, the wants of the reading public is considered as a part 
of the capital necessary in the building up of a successful newspaper. 
These requisites are possessed in an extraordinary degree by Miss Wight- 
man and insures her continued success. 

Miss Mary is one of the leading spirits of the younger social set and 
contributes much to the social life of the town. She belongs to several 
clubs, is affiliated with the Eastern Star and the Methodist Church^ In the 
year 1921, Miss Wightman was elected justice of the peace in Harrison 
County, having the distinction of being the first woman to fill this office 
in the state of Missouri. She is broad minded, has the courage of her 
convictions, has high aspirations and uses the influence of her paper to 
promote her high ideals. 

And so as the years have passed the Wightman newspaper has con- 
tinually elevated its standards, bettered its quality and broadened its 
scope, but primarily its mission is the same today as it was at the time 
of its inception, to advance the interest of the comnmnity and the people 
and to aid in seou'ing better government and better citizenship. 

The present editors hold in tiust for all mankind the institution 
founded by their elders. They have the bright examples and deathless 
liiemoi-ies of tht dead to guide them to that illimitable sea upon the shores 
of which stands the Temple of Eternal Truth. 



W. S. Ross, a prominent citizen and large land owner of Trail Creek 
Township, is a native of Harrison County. He was born in Trail Creek 
Township, October 3, 1859, about three-fourths of a mile north of his 
present residence on land which was entered from the government by 
his father. He is a son of Jacob and Ellen (Hindle) Ross, the former a 
native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. 

Jacob Ross and Ellen Hindle were married in Indiana and came to 
Missouri during the fifties. He entered government land in Trail Creek 
Township and was engaged in farming and stock raising here all his 



646 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

life. He was an extensive stockman and raised a great many horses and 
cattle and became very well-to-do. When he came to Missouri, like many 
of the early pioneers he was without funds and it was a struggle to get 
a start in life. When he entered his land from the government his cash 
capital consisted of a fifty cent piece. He worked in sawmills and did 
whatever he could find to do until he got a start. Later he acquired more 
land, besides the 160 acres which he entered from the government and 
became a large land owner. During the Civil War he served in the 
Union army. He was a stanch Republican and held local offices on vari- 
ous occasions. He died March 3, 1897, age sixty-three years and his 
wife died in September of the same year. Their remains are buried in 
Mount Moriah Cemetery. Of their children, three are now living as fol- 
lows: Mary, married George W. Flagg, Fowler, Colorado; W. S. Ross, 
the subject of this sketch and J. J. Ross, of Denver, Colorado. 

W. S. Ross was reared on the home farm in Trail Creek Township 
and received his education in the public schools. He engaged in farm- 
ing in early life and is one of the successful farmers and stockmen 
of Harrison County. He owns 500 acres of highly improved and pro- 
ductive land in the northeast part of Trail Creek Township. There 
are in all six sets of farm buildings on his land. He carries on general 
farming and stock raising and specializes in raising pure blood Aber- 
deen-Angus cattle and Big Bone Spotted Poland China hogs. He also 
raises horses and mules extensively and has met with unifonn success 
in his undertakings. 

Mr. Ross was married June 29, 1878, to Miss Eva Sesna, a native 
of Indiana, born near Indianapolis. She is a daughter of George and 
Mary (Gaings) Sesna, both natives of Ohio. The Sesna family re- 
moved from Indiana to Illinois at an early day and came to Missouri 
in 1875. Later they removed to White Cloud, Kansas where the parents 
both died and are buried there. To Mr. and Mrs. Ross have been born 
two children as follows: Charles Marion, a farmer and stockman who 
resides on the old home place in Trail Creek Township, and Mary Ina, 
who married Han-y Phillip, Mount Moriah. There are five grandchil- 
dren in the Ross family: Garland, Kermit, and John Jacob Ross, and 
Ross and Clarence William Phillip. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Methodist Church and he 
has always supported the principals of the Republican party. They are 
representative of the best citizenship of Harrison County and the mem- 
bers of the Ross family are highly respected. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 647 

C. M. Peugh, a leading farmer and stockman is a native of Harrison 
County and was bom near Trail Chapel, January 4, 1874. He is a son 
of Sanford M. and Mary (Hamilton) Peugh. 

Sanford M. Peugh was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, 
August 28, 1850. He is a son of Humphrey and J. (McDonald) Peugh, 
the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. In 1856 the 
family came to Pike County, Illinois and in the following spring moved 
to Appanoose County, Iowa, and about two months later removed to Mis- 
souri and settled in Sherman Township, Harrison County, where Hum- 
phrey Peugh entered government land. This was in 1857 and the land 
office was at Booneville, Missouri. He built a cabin on his place, im- 
proved the land and made his home there for a number of years. Later 
he removed to Oregon and died at Portland, in 1913, at the age of eighty- 
seven years. His wife died at Hood River, Oregon, which had been their 
home for a number of years. The Peugh family were among the early 
settlers of Sherman Tov/nship, there being but three families living there 
when they settled there. Humphrey Peugh served in the Missouri State 
Militia during the Civil War. 

Sanford Peugh was reared in Sherman Township and educated in 
the early day public schools and for a number of years was engaged in 
farming in Sherman Township. Later he went to Oregon where he re- 
mained a short time when he returned to Harrison County and bought 
a farm in Train Creek Township. About twenty-two years ago he sold 
that and since that time has lived in Mount Moriah. He owns a small 
farm adjoining the town and has another farm on the Grand River 
bottoms. He was married August 27, 1872, to Mary Elizabeth Hamilton 
a native of Fox Creek Township. She is a daughter of Collins Hamilton, 
a Harrison County pioneer who settled here prior to 1850. For a num- 
ber of years he operated a ferry across the Grand River on the Colo- 
rado and California Trail. 

To Sanford M. and Mary (Hamilton) Peugh, were bom the follow- 
ing children: Charles, Trail Creek Township; C. M., the subject of this 
sketch; Effie, married Frank Withered, Trail Creek Township; Cora, mar- 
ried Harry Grey, Cainsville, Missouri; and Laura, married E. W. Prather, 
Trail Creek Township. 

C. M. Peugh was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools. He began farming for himself on land which he rented 
from his father when he was twenty years old. He bought his present 



648 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

fami in Grant Township in 1900. He owns two hundred acres of valu- 
able land with good substantial improvements and carries on general 
farming and stock raising. He is widely known as a successful breeder 
of thoroughbred Percheron horses. 

Mr. Peugh was married December 23, 1895 to Miss Martha Fryer, 
of Hancock County, Illinois and the following children have been bom 
to them: Guy, a farmer and stockman of Grant Township; Elsie, mar- 
ried Virgil Dyer, Madison Township and Lanzao, Ermie, Lloyd, Rex, 
Arthur, Ray and Zelma, all residing at home with their parents. 

Mr. Peugh takes a commendable interest in local affairs and for 
twenty years he has been a member of the school board. He is a pro- 
gressive citizen and is known for his industry and integrity. 



Judge George W. Wanamaker, former judge of the third judicial dis- 
trict, a prominent member of the Harrison County bar for forty-three 
years, and well known over all this part of Missouri, died early Friday 
morning, November 18, 1921, at his home after having been confined for 
several weeks with what was recognized by his physicians to be his last 
illness. For the last two weeks his condition had been such that his death 
was expected at any time. 

Judge Wanamaker was a native of Canada, having been born in Prince 
Edward County, Ontario, October 8, 1846. He lived in Canada until he 
was nineteen years of age, and received his literary training in the public 
schools and the Collegiate Institute of Bellville, Ontario. He came to the 
United States in 1869, his parents settling in Missouri, and entered the 
University of Michigan, graduating with the degree of LL. B. He re- 
turned to Kirksville, and after several years' practice, came to Bethany in 
1878. 

Judge Wanamaker served a term as city attorney of Bethany not long 
after he first took up his residence here, and for twenty-three years was 
the senior member of the firm of Wanamaker & Barlow, G. W. Barlow, of 
Bethany, being the junior member. This was one of the best known law 
firms in Bethany, and enjoyed an extensive general practice for many 
years. In 1904, upon the solicitation of friends, he became a candidate 
for the office of district judge of the third district, comprising the counties 
of Harrison, Mercer, Grundy and Putnam, and had no opposition in the 
general election of that year. In 1910 he was renominated and re-elected 
for a term of six years, this time being both nominated and elected with- 




ERNEST WANAMAKER 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 649 

out opposition. His record on the bench was one of distinction and his 
decisions were probably reversed less seldom than any district judge in 
the state. Following the expiration of this term of office, he again began 
the practice of law here, and continued it except at such times that his 
health did not permit. Shortly after his retirement from the bench the 
diabetic trouble which finally resulted in his death necessitated an opera- 
tion for the removal of a foot. Notwithstanding his age, he recovered 
from the operation within a shorter time than might have been expected, 
and was afterward able to be about town until within the last few weeks. 

In politics, Judge Wanamaker had always been a Republican, but was 
not considered as a politician. He was the possessor of a keen, analytical 
mind, the mind of the trained jurist, and never accepted any conclusion 
without first weighing it in his own behalf. In 1902 he was a delegate to 
the Republican judicial state convention. 

He was a Knight Templar Mason and was past eminent commander of 
Bethany Commandery No. 44, and was also affiliated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges. He belonged to the 
Methodist Church and was a trustee for many years. 

Judge Wanamaker was born of an old family in America, the founder 
being Johann Wanamaker, who was a native of Germany, and in 1668 
came to America and settled in Rockland County, New York. The great- 
grandfather of Judge Wanamaker was Peter Wanamaker, a Revolutionary 
soldier. His father, Isaac Wanamaker, was born in Canada, and spent 
all his active life as a farmer. His mother, Mary Ann Way, was the 
daughter of a Rhode Island farmer. 

On December 23, 1879, Judge Wanamaker was married to Miss Bessie 
Templeman, daughter of William A. and Emeline Templeman. Mrs. Tem- 
pleman was a daughter of Rev. J. S. Allen, one of the pioneers in north- 
west Missouri, and in 184G the founder of the Christian Church here, 
which he served as its first pastor. Judge Wanamaker's children are 
Ernest, the superintendent of electrical construction of the Rock Island 
railway, and Mrs. John Sherwood Alquist, of Kansas City, Missouri, who 
has a son, Temple Allen. 

The body lay in state in his office among the books he loved from 
Friday evening until Sunday afternoon at one o'clock, where it was viewed 
by many of those who had been his friends and neighbors for so many 
years. 

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist Church, 
and were attended in a body by the Harrison County bar. Members of 



650 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the bars of other counties included C. E. Ernst and George P. Adams of 
the Gentry County bar, L. M. Hyde and L. E. May of the Mercer County 
bar, Roscoe Kavanaugh and George Hubbel of the Grundy County bar, 
who acted as pall bearers, attorneys Reeves of Albany and Kesterson of 
Princeton, Senator Pickett of Trenton and Judge L. B. Woods. Rev. W. 
S. Welsh and Judge L. B. Woods gave short talks eulogistic of Judge 
Wanamaker, and Mrs. Daisy Crossan sang. 

Burial followed the services in Miriam Cemetery. — Bethany Repub- 
lican, November 23, 1921. 



J. T. Chambers, who is now living retired at Ridgeway, Missouri, is 
a Civil War veteran and one of the very earliest pioneer settlers of Har- 
rison County. He was born in Decatur County, Indiana, December 12, 
1842, a son of William and Ellen (Barrett) Chambers, the former a 
native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. 

The Chambers family settled in Harrison County in 1842 when J. T. 
Chambers was about two years old. They drove through from Indiana, 
with a team and covered wagon. They first camped on the mound where 
Cainsville is now located and after camping there a few days, they located 
about two and one-half miles south of Cainsville, where the father 
entered government land. At that time there was not a town in Har- 
rison or Mercer counties. The nearest postoffice was Trenton, thirty 
miles away. Envelopes were not in use yet and it cost twenty-five cents 
to mail a letter. The only plows in use at that time were the wooden 
mouldboards and J. T. Chambers remembers of having plowed with that 
type of plow. There were lots of Indians living along Grand River and 
Mr. Chambers has a distinct recollection of the Indian dances of those 
times and has been present at those festivities. There were any num- 
ber of deer and he has seen as many as twenty in one herd. Wildcats 
and wolves were plentiful and wolves frequently carried off little pigs. 
Wild turkeys and prairie chickens were here by the thousands. 

William Chambers took a prominent part in the early day affairs 
of Harrison County and served one term as judge of the county court. 
He was a strong Union man during the Civil War. He died on his farm 
about one-half miles north of Mount Moriah in 1879 and his wife died 
about ten years later and their remains are buried at Cainsville. They 
were the parents of nine children, three of whom are now living: J. T., 
the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Narcissis Meryfield, a widow residing in 
Kansas City, Missouri ; and Mrs. Zarilda Coffman, of Mount Moriah. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 651 

J. T. Chambers was reared in Harrison County and when he was 
about twenty-one years old on May 3, 1863, he enhsted in Company F, 
3rd Missouri Regiment, and after the war he was engaged in farming 
until 1879. He was then engaged in the dry goods business at Mount 
Moriah for three years and then engaged in the hotel business there 
which he conducted for thirty-two years and six months. On October 
1, 1913, he rented his hotel and moved to Ridgeway, where he has since 
resided. Later he sold the hotel. Mr. Chambers was first married in 
1864, to Zimanda Reynolds, a native of Indiana, and the following chil- 
dren were bom to that union: W. P., cashier of the Bank of Mount 
Moriah; Agnes Ellen, married Cal Snyder, Lamoni, Iowa; Alva L., a 
grocer, Bethany, Missouri ; Linus, died at the age of twelve years and 
John M., of Mount Moriah. The mother died in 1878 and Mr. Chambers 
was afterwards married to Mary C. Baker a native of Indiana, and to 
them has been born one son, Jesse L., a veteran of the World War, who 
served in France in the Balloon Observation Corps and is now in the 
employ of the Miner and Frees Lumber Company as auditor and resides 
at Ridgeway. 

Mr. Chambers cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1864 and has voted 
the Republican ticket since. He is a member of the Baptist Church. 



A. B. Campman, a leading farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Town- 
ship is a native son of Harrison County. He was born in Madison Town- 
ship, January 24, 1883, a son of Edward Charles and Mary Anne (Sinder- 
son) Campman. 

Edward Charles Campman, was born near St. Loui.^. Missouri, and his 
wife was bom in Illinois. Edward Charles Champman came to Harrison 
County when a young man and settled in Madison Township where he 
was married. He was a farmer and stockman and spent his life in Madi- 
son Township. He died in February, 1901 and his widow now lives at 
Ridgeway, Missouri. They were the parents of eight children as follows: 
Arthur, a farmer and stockman lives in Trail Creek Township; A. B., 
the subject of this sketch; Lula, lives in Bethany, Missouri; Mrs. Hazel 
McLaughlin, lives in Idaho; Ferris, Kansas City, Missouri; Roy B., died 
at the age of eighteen years ; Fern, died at the age of two years and 
Chloe, married Lred E. Smith and died in February, 1919, aged twenty- 
three years. 



652 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

A. B. Campman was reared to manhood in Madison Township, and 
received his education in the public schools. When nineteen years old, 
he began his independent career as a farmer in Madison Township and 
was thus engaged for about two years. He then fanned one year in Trail 
Creek Township and afterwards operated the home place in Madison 
Township. He spent one year on a homestead in Colorado and in 1910 
bought a farm of 110 acres in Trail Creek Township which he operated 
until 1919. He then sold that place and bought his present place of 160 
acres in the northwest part of Trail Creek Township. This is a valuable 
farm and is well improved. Mr. Campman carries on general farming 
and stock raising and has met with success. 

In 1901, A. B. Campman was married to Miss Rebecca E. Nelles, of 
Trail Creek Township. She was born in South Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Campman have been bom six children as follow: Mrs. Vera Beeks, Jeffer- 
son Township; Vern, Ray, Eugene, Virgil and Helen, all of whom reside 
at home with their parents. 

Mr. Campman is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in 
local affairs. He is public spirited and enterprising and one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Trail Creek Township. 



John Lafayette Moss, a Civil War veteran who is a prominent citizen 
of Trail Creek Township, is a native of Missouri. He was bom in Mercer 
County, January 13, 1841, a son of Horatio and Norcissa (Dunkinson) 
Moss. 

Haratio Moss was a native of Tennessee, and a son of Joshua Moss, 
a North Carolinian. Norcissa Dunkinson was bom in Kentucky, a daugh- 
ter of John Dunkinson who was also a Kentuckian. 

Joshua Moss was one of the very early pioneer settlers of northern 
Missouri. He came here in 1839 and settled in Mercer County. During 
the gold excitement in California in 1849 he started overland to the gold 
fields and was stricken with cholera and died at Salt Lake City. His 
widow spent her life in Mercer County. She died in 1851. 

John L. Moss was the eldest of five children bom to his parents, three 
of whom are now living. The others are George Russell, M'ho lives in 
southern Missouri, and Joseph James, Davenport, Iowa. When John L. 
Moss was about ninteen years old he enlisted in the Union Army at Cains- 
ville. Missouri, becoming a member of Company E, 3rd Regiment, Mis- 
souri Infantry. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Wilson 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 653 

Creek, Springfield and was with his command in pursuit of General Price 
as far as Fayetteville, Arkansas, and took part in numerous skirmishes. 
He was wounded at the battle of Springfield, a ball passing through his 
right ann and lodged in his shoulder from where it was removed. He 
was captured by the enemy at Neosho, Missouri, but was paroled one 
day later. After the close of the Civil War, he reenlisted as a veteran 
volunteer to fight Indians in the west. Shortly afterwards he received 
his honorable discharge and returned to Mercer County. He bought land 
in that county where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 
1895. He then came to Harrison County where he bought 160 acres of 
land where he has since been successfully engaged in farming. His farm 
consists of 160 acres and is well improved. He has made most of the 
improvements and this is the fourth farm which he has improved. 

Mr. Moss was married, December 24, 1866, to Martha A. Hickman, of 
Mercer County, Missouri. Her parents were natives of Indiana and early 
settlers in Missouri. To John L. Moss and wife were born seven children 
six of whom grew to maturity: Ida, married Olin Kies, Bethany, Mis- 
souri; Alfred, lives in the state of Washington; Sarah Jane, married 
Jack DePrice, Fox Creek Township; Winnie, married Sam Gray, and is 
now deceased; Rachel, married Lewis Witherd, and is also deceased; and 
John, who operates. the home place. The mother died in 1881. 

Mr. Moss has always been a Democrat and is a member of the Baptist 
Church. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic for many 
years. He is one of the substantial and highly respected ninnppr citizens 
of Harrison County. 



Orville Brown, a successful farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Town- 
ship who owns and operates a valuable farm of 120 acres in partnership 
with F. D. French, is a native of New York. He was born in Ulster 
County, New York, December 3, 1861, and is a son of Alonzo Brown, who 
now resides at Cherryville, Kansas. 

Orville Brown came to Missouri with his parents and settled in De- 
Kalb County. He was reared and educated in that county and lived his 
early life there with the exception of a short time when his father 
was engaged in street contracting in Kansas City, Missouri. His father 
served in the Union Army during the Civil War. 

About the year of 1900 Orville Brown went to Iowa and was engaged 
in farming about six miles from Leon. Before going there however, he 



654 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

went to Oklahoma where he owned a farm which he later sold. He lived 
in Oklahoma about one year. In 1919 he sold his farm near Leon, Iowa 
and in partnership with Mr. French, they bought their present place in 
Trail Creek Township. This is a valuable farm and they have made ex- 
tensive improvements upon it further mention of which is made in con- 
nection with the sketch of F. D. French in this volume. 

Mr. Brown was married in 1902, to Miss Sarah Betherd, a native of 
Ohio and a sister of Mrs.. F. D. French and she is now deceased. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born three children: Leslie, Ethlene, and Paul, 
all of whom make their home with Mr. and Mrs. French and their father. 

Mr. Brown is a Democrat and one of the enterprising and dependable 
citizens of Harrison County. 



W. F. Slaughter, a prominent citizen of Harrison County, Missouri, 
was born in Pike County, Ohio, March 7, 1861, the son of Milton B. and 
Martha (Hawk) Slaughter. 

Milton B. Slaughter was born in Pike County, Ohio, December 13, 
1834, and his wife was born in the same county, August 8, 1842. They 
came to Missouri in 1863 and settled in Bethany Township where they 
now live. Mr. Slaughter owns 305 acres of land which he has improved. 
He is a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Missouri State 
Militia. To Milton B. and Martha (Hawk) Slaughter the following chil- 
dren were born: W. F., the subject of this sketch; Ida May, now Mrs. 
F. P. McDaniel, of Bethany, Missouri; Effie J., now Mrs. Silas Maize of 
Bethany, Missouri ; and John M., who was accidentally drowned at the 
age of sixteen and who is buried in Mitchelville Cemetery. 

W. F. Slaughter was educated in the public schools of Bethany and 
taught school for several years in Daviess and Harrison counties. He 
taught his first school at Jack Oaks district in Cypress Township. He 
bought an eighty-five acre farm in Bethany Township upon which he lived 
for three years, and which he later sold, buying another farm of 160 acres 
and then another eighty acre tract. He bought his present farm of 400 
acres in 1900. It was formerly known as the Copeland farm. Mr. 
Slaughter has sold 250 acres off of it, leaving 150 acres in the present 
farm. This farm is of unusual historical interest. The first county court 
session ever convened in Harrison County was held under a basswood tree 
on the part of the farm now owned by Mr. Slaughter's son. Mr. Slaughter 
is now building a new home, located on the Jefferson Highway three miles 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 655 

south of the town of Bethany. The house has a ten room concrete base- 
ment, containing a laundry, cold storage room, furnace, wood room, fruit 
room and a glass covered play room. On the first floor of the house there 
are ten rooms and as many on the second floor. The liouse which is built 
of stucco, is modern in every way ; on the west side is a large porch which 
makes an excellent resting place for the many friends of IVIr. Slaughter 
when they come to visit him. In addition to the residence, Mr. Slaughter 
is building a 32x50 foot barn and two modern poultry houses in which to 
care for his White Wyandotte chickens. 

W. F. Slaughter was married to Laura S. Williams. September 25, 
1887. Mrs. Slaughter is a daughter of John and Phoebe A. (Harrison) 
Williams who came to Missouri from Ohio in 1885. Through her mother, 
Mrs. Slaughter is related to the family of ex-President Harrison and 
through her father, she is related to the Carson family of Kit Carson 
fame. Mrs. Slaughter's ancestry has been traced back for three hundred 
years to the Hollander, Jans Weber, of royal birth and born in the King's 
mansion in Holland. 

To W. F. and Laura S. (Williams) Slaughter the following children 
were born: John M., man-ied to Ruth Holt and living in Bethany Town- 
ship; Frona, now Mrs. Fred Daily, of White Oak Township; Irl, died in 
infancy; Frank Lee, died at the age of seventeen; Irlene, a graduate of 
Missouri State University at Columbia, Missouri, and now Mrs. J. H. 
Wright of Haigler. Nebraska; Ivan, a graduate of Missouri State Uni- 
versity, was on the dairy cows judging contest held at Columbus, Ohio, and 
his team won the gold medal the^-e, and now living on the home place; 
Bina, who won the dairy scholarship at Missouri University in 1921 ; 
carried $500, a teacher in the Bethany Grammar School, who will gradu- 
ate from Missouri State University in 1922 ; Josie May, a graduate of the 
Bethany High School in 1921 and won the highest honors at the Bethany 
High School, carried a $50 scholarship; and Olin, a junior in the Bethany 
High School. Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter have ten grandchildren as follows: 
Anna, Amy, Fern and Naomi Slaughter; Lee, Glenn, Ross and Roberta 
Daily ; Billy Wright and Ivan Slaughter, Jr. 

Ivan S. Slaughter, the sixth child of W. F. and Laura S. (Williams) 
Slaughter, was bom in Cypress Township, January 1, 1896. He attended 
school in the Brady district and then went to the Bethany High School 
from which he graduated in 1914. He was a student in the Missouri State 
University when the United States entered the World War. He at once 



656 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

enlisted in the air service and was sent first to Urbana, Illinois, and from 
there to Scott Field, Belleville, Illinois, for training. He was commissioned 
second lieutenant and was sent to Rockwell Field, Santiago. California, 
where he was kept until the annistice was signed. He v/as discharged 
January 7, 1919, and returned to the University from which he graduated 
in April, 1921. He was married to Jo Squires, April 20, 1920. She is a 
daughter of Mrs. Margaret Squires, of Springfield, Missoui'i and was born 
in CaiTollton, Missouri, graduating from the Carrollton High School in the 
class of 1917 and from the Missouri State University in the class of 1920. 
Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter have a con, Ivan Stanton Slaughter, Jr.. born 
February 12, 1920. 

The Slaughter family has been one of the prominent families in the 
development of Harrison County. W. F. Slaughter is a progressive and 
public spirited man. One of his pi'actical manifestations of good citizen- 
ship is a tourist camp which he has on his farm. He well merits his high 
standing in the county. 



George W. Gibson, a member of an early pioneer family of Harrison 
County, who is a well known farmer and stock raiser, was born in Harri- 
son County, October 9, 1889, and is a son of Walker and Maiy S. (Allen) 
Gibson. 

Walker Gibson M'as a native of Indiana, and came to Harrison County, 
Missouri, with his parents at a very early date. He sei-ved for three years 
and six months, in the Union Army, during the Civil War and was 
severely wounded in battle and taken prisoner by the Confederates, was 
in prison six months and while a prisoner of war his leg was amputated 
as a result of his wounds. After the war he followed farming. He died 
in Union Township, November 18, 1910, aged sixty-seven years. 

Mary S. (Allen) Gibson was born in Harrison County, in 1852. She 
is a daughter of Callaway Allen, a native of Tennessee, who came to 
HaiTison County in pioneer days, and entered government land in Union 
Township. 

To Walker and Mary S. (Allen) Gibson, were born the following 
children: James F., lives in Union Tov.'nship; S. W.. Union Township; 
John L., Union Township; Edna M., married W. E. Judd, Marion Town- 
ship; Rosa, married H. L. Graham, Marion Township; Walker E., Union 
Township ; G. W., the subject of this sketch, and two who died in infancy. 




WALKER AND .MARY S. GIBSON 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 657 

G. W. Gibson was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools. He has made farming and stock raising his life's occupa- 
tion and is the owner of 120 acres of valuable land in Union Township. 

G. W. Gibson was married in 1907 to Miss Matie Holmes, a native 
of Ringgold County, Iowa, and a daughter of Charles E. Holmes, who 
lives in Union Township. To them have been born four children: Gerald 
W., at home; Floy M., at home; Jaunita, died in 1919, in infancy, and is 
buried in Allen Cemetery, and Elvis Ray. 

Mr. Gibson is a substantial and well known citizen of Harrison 
County and the Gibson family stands high in the community. 



I. R. Chambers a leading farmer and stockman of Trail Creek Tovra- 
ship, is a native of Harrison County and a descendant of one of the 
early prominent pioneer families of this county. He was born in Trail 
Creek Township, near Mount Moriah, April 10, 1863, a son of John R. 
and Elizabeth (Cockran) Chambers. 

John R. Chambers, came to Harrison County with his parents when 
he was about seven years old, about 1844. He grew to manhood in this 
county and followed farming and stock raising during his life time. At 
the time of the Civil War he served in the Home Guards. He was a Re- 
publican and always took an active part in local affairs and held various 
local offices. He died March 16, 1905, and his remains are buried in 
Mount Moriah Cemetery. Elizabeth (Cockran) Chambers was born in 
New York City in 1835. She is a daughter of John Cockran whose wife 
bore the maiden name of Forrest and they were both natives of Scotland. 
The Cockran family came to Trail Creek Township in 1856 and here 
the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Chambers is now 
living at the ripe old age of eighty-six years and makes her home with 
her children. She is unusually active both mentally and physically for 
one of her advanced years. 

I. R. Chambers is one of three children born to his parents that are 
now living. The others are James A., Coffey, Missouri, and Minnie S., 
married Millard Allen, Atchison County, Missouri. Johh W., died at 
about the age of two years. I. R. Chambers was reared in Trail Creek 
Township and educated in the public schools. He began his independent 
career as a farmer and stockman at the age of twenty-two years and 
at that time bought a farm. He purchased his present place in 1900. 
It contains 170 acres and is located about five miles east of Ridgeway, 
(37) 



658 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

on the Mount Moriah Road. His place is well improved with a fine 
residence which he built in 1906 and the other farm buildings on the 
place are of a substantial character. Mr. Chambers is a good farmer and 
his place presents an attractive and well kept appearance. 

On March 8, 1885, I. R. Chambers was married to Miss Lorena Glaze. 
She was born at Princeton, Mercer County, Missouri and is the daughter 
of Thomas and Sarah (Riley) Glaze, the former a native of Ohio and 
the latter of Missouri. Thomas Glaze came to Harrison County when a 
young man and remained here until about 1909, when he went to Seattle, 
Washington where he died November 1, 1912, at the age of seventy- 
three years, eleven months and twenty days. His wife died September 
20, 1898. They were the parents of three children: Charles died at 
the age of two years and six months ; Lorena, the wife of I. R. Chambers 
of this sketch and Rosa, married Daniel Smothers, of Grant Township, 
a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Chambers 
have been bom two children: A. C, a farmer and stockman of Grant 
Township, and Daisy, married Ben Goodwin, of Trail Creek Township. 

Mr. Chambers is a Republican and has held the office of justice 
of the peace and has also served on the township board of trustees. He 
is public spirited and a representative citizen of Harrison County, and the 
Chambers family stand high. 



C. C. Miller, a Civil War veteran and a former member of the county 
court of Harrison County now living retired at Eagleville, is a native of 
Iowa. He was born in Muscatine, November 15, 1842, a son of John H. 
and Eliza (Walton) Miller. 

John H. Miller, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1800. He was a son 
of Joseph Miller who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was at the 
Battle of Lundy's Lane and a member of the "I'll Try, Sir," Regiment. 
Jacob Miller removed from Pennsylvania to Dayton, Ohio in 1805, when 
John H. Miller was five years old. 

Eliza Walton Miller was a native of New Jersey and was a descend- 
ent of the Walton family which settled in Georgia in Colonial times. The 
Waltons were of English descent. Joseph Walton, father of Eliza Walton, 
was a brigadier general of militia under James K. Polk. 

In May, 1836, John H. Miller and his wife came West to Iowa, from 
Indiana and settled in Muscatine County. The father engaged in farm- 
ing and spent his life there. He died in 1870, at the age of seventy 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 659 

years and the mother died in Union County, Iowa. They were the parents 
of the following children: Mary Ann, married John Cross, and she died 
in Jefferson County, Nebraska; John, died in St. Joseph, Missouri; B. 
F., was a prominent Methodist Minister and died in Des Moines, Iowa; 
Mrs. Catharine Gates, lives at Long Beach, California; Mrs. Adaline 
Crane, lives in Kansas ; Joseph A., Union County, Iowa ; Perry W., Ting- 
ley, Iowa; William, lives in Nebraska, and C. C, the subject of this 
sketch. 

Judge C. C. Miller, was reared and educated in Muscatine, Iowa, and 
before he was ninteen years old he enlisted in August, 1861, at Musatine, 
Iowa, becoming a member of Company A, 11th Iowa Infantry. He re- 
ceived his baptismal fire at the Battle of Shiloh, and was at the Battle of 
Corinth, Mississippi and the Seige of Vicksburg, including a number of 
engagements in that vicinity, and reenlisted about that time. He then 
participated in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and was with Sherman's 
Army in the famous March to the Sea. He was at the Seige of Atlanta, 
and was at Raleigh, North Carolina, when General Lee surrendered. He 
then marched with his command by way of Richmond, Virginia, to Wash- 
ington, D. C, and took part in the Grand Review. He was discharged at 
Louisville, Kentucky, and mustered out of the service at Camp McClelland, 
Davenport, Iowa. 

After returning from the army, Mr. Miller went West for a short 
time when he returned to Muscatine, Iowa and was married. He followed 
farming there for a few years and in 1869 came to Harrison County, 
Missouri and bought a farm four miles northwest of Eagleville where 
he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1900. He then bought 
a small place of five acres at Eagleville where he has since made his 
home and is now living retired. 

Judge Miller was first married December 24 1868, to Miss Mary 
White and six children were born to them as follows: Mrs. Ida M. Hen- 
derson, Santa Cruze, California; George Franklin, died in Kansas; John 
W., Sprague, Missouri ; Perry W., Cimarron, Kansas ; Harry L., Kansas 
City, Kansas; and Essie, died in infancy. Some years after the death of 
his first wife. Judge Miller Avas married to Nancy Isabelle Taylor of 
Brooklyn, Missouri. 

Judge Miller has been a life long Republican and has served two 
terms as county judge from the northern district of Harrison County, 
and was presiding judge during both terms. He has held other local 



660 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

offices and served as trustee of Hamilton Township for many years. He 
is a member of the Grand Army of the RepubHc and has been a Mason 
for a number of years. He is past master of the Eagleville Lodge and 
District Deputy Grand Master and Lecturer of the Fifth Missouri Dis- 
trict. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Li 1914, 
Judge Miller took an extensive trip visiting the Panama Canal Zone. He 
is a well posted and interesting gentleman and one of the substantial 
citizens of Harrison County. 



Ollie V. Assel a progressive and enterprising young farmer and 
stockman of Trail Creek Township, is a native of Missouri. He was born 
at Weatherby, DeKalb County, February 28, 1898, and is a son of Lewis 
C. and Maud May (Weidemier) Assel, both natives of DeKalb County, Mis- 
souri. 

Lewis C. Assel, is a son of Jacob J. Assel, a native of Prussia, who 
landed in New York, the night that President Lincoln wa sassassinated, 
April 14, 1865. He first settled in Michigan, and later removed to Mis- 
souri and settled in DeKalb County, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. He was an expert blacksmith, having learned that trade in his 
native land and worked at it during a period of service in the German 
Army. He also worked at his trade after settling in DeKalb County, 
Missouri. He died at Maysville, Missouri, March 1, 1916, at the age 
of sixty-nine years. His wife preceded him in death a number of years. 
She died in 1899. They were the parents of eight children all of whom 
grew to maturity. 

Lewis C. Assel learened the blacksmith trade with his father in 
early life, but has devoted himself to farming and the stock business in 
which he has been very successful. He is one of the extensive and well- 
to-do farmers and stockmen of DeKalb County and is the owner of one of 
the best farms in that section. He specializes in raising pure bred Short- 
horn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. 

T. Lewis C. Assel and wife have been born the following childern: 
Carl, who served in the United States Army during the World War, re- 
sides at home with his parents; Hazel, a teacher in the High School at 
Everest, Kansas; Ollie V., the subject of this sketch; Herbert, a student 
in the Kidder Institute; Gail, a student at Parkville, Missouri. 

Ollie V. Assel, was reared on the home farm in DeKalb County, and 
educated in the public schools and the Kidder Institute, at Kidder, Mis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 661 

souri. He engaged in farming for himself in Trail Creek Township, Har- 
rison County, since 1918. His father purchased this place in 1917. It 
consists of 226 acres of valuable land upon which Mr. Assel has made 
numerous improvements since coming here. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock raising and is meeting with well merited success. His 
place is well stocked with from twenty to forty head of cattle, forty hogs 
and he keeps seven head of horses. 

On March 19, 1919, Ollie V. Assel was married to Miss Ethel Smith, a 
native of Caldwell County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Joseph Smith 
a Civil War veteran who now lives in Caldwell County. Shortly after 
the Ciivl War, he homesteaded government land ixi Kansas, and lived in 
that state for a number of years and returned to Missouri. To Ollie V. 
Assel and wife have been born two children: Josh and Phillip Homer. 

Mr. Assel is perhaps the youngest man in Harrison County, who is 
carrying on farming and stock raising on such an extensive scale. Since 
coming here he has made many improvements on his place, including a 
corrugated all steel barn which is the first of the kind to be built in the 
county. Mr. Assel is a Democrat and is public spirited and one of the 
leading representative young men of Harrison County. 



U. G. Eaton, of Eagleville, Missouri is a prominent farmer and stock- 
man and operates 400 acres of land and maintains his residence in Eagle- 
ville. Mr. Eaton was born in Marion County, Indiana, about eleven miles 
east of Indianapolis, May 7, 1869. He is a son of Wesley E. Eaton, and 
his mother bore the maiden name of Rice. They were the parents of 
three children, as follows: Sadie, married Fred Redinger, and they live at 
St. Joseph, Missouri; U. G., the subject of this sketch, and Emma who 
married Charles Rupkuy, Palistine, Indiana. The parents were both na- 
tives of Indiana. The mother died in 1874, when U. G. Eaton was about 
five years old and her remains are buried in a cemetery which is located 
between Palistine, and Indianapolis, Indiana. After her death the father 
married Sarah Pittman a native of Indiana and five children were born to 
that union, as follows: Joseph, lives in Idaho; Buford, Ridgeway, Mis- 
souri; John, Lakin, Kansas; Samuel, Kansas City, Missouri, and Mary, 
lives in Idaho. 

The Eaton family moved from Marion to Shelby County, Indiana, 
when U. G. Eaton was five or six years old and in 1881 they came to 
Missouri and settled on a farm in Marion Township, Harrison County, 



662 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

about three miles south of Eagleville. The father remained here until 
about 1910, when his second wife died and he returned to Indiana, where 
he died in 1914. His remains are buried at Palestine, Indiana. 

U. G. Eaton was educated in the public schools of Indiana and Mis- 
souri. He began life for himself as a farm hand when he was fifteen 
years old. He began farming rented land in the vicinity of Eagleville. 
Shortly afterward he rented 560 acres in Hamilton Township and now oper- 
ates 400 acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an 
extensive scale and has been on the same place for the past thirteen 
years. He raises hogs, cattle and mules and keeps a good grade of white- 
face cattle. He resides in Eagleville. 

Mr. Eaton was married in 1887 to Miss Eva Long, a native of Iowa and 
a resident of Union Towmship, Harrison County, at the time of her mar- 
riage. To Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have been born six children, as follow: 
Blanche, married Noah Hoyt and they live in Kansas; Vaughn, who 
operates a 320 acre farm in Hamilton Township; Artis. married John 
Underwood, Union Township; Bee, married John Bogue, Hamilton Town- 
ship; Wesley, who operates the place with his father, married Carrie 
Derr ; and Wade, who also assists his father, is unmarried. 

Mr. Eaton is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and is a 
Republican. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen and well 
known in Harrison County. 



A. L. Hendren, one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Jef- 
ferson Township, is a native of this township, and was bom near the 
place where he now resides September 14. 1875. He is a son of Thomas 
C. and Elizabeth (Kelly) Hendren. 

Thomas C. Hendren, who is now deceased was born in Henry County, 
Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1856, first settling in Gentry County. 
After remaining there about one year he came to Harrison County and 
settled in Jefferson Township. Here he engaged in farming and stock 
raising and was one of the successful men of affairs of this county. He 
spent the remainder of his life on his home place in Jefferson Township. 
He died August 9, 1918. Elizabeth (Kelly) Hendren was born in Lafa- 
yette County, Indiana, in 1854, and when she was three years old, her 
parents came West, and the family settled in Jefferson Tovraship, Harri- 
son County. She resides with her son A. L. Hendren. 

Thomas C. Hendren and Elizabeth Kelly, were married in 1874, and 
the following children were bom to them: A. L.. the subject of this 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 663 

sketch; Walter E., born in 1878, lives in Union Township; James C, born 
in 1881, lives in Grant Township; George W., born in 1883, lives in 
Jefferson Township; Mabel, born in 1886, deceased, and her remains are 
buried at Morris Chapel; Lena, born in 1889, deceased, and is also buried 
at Morris Chapel; Mark Z., Ames, Iowa, was born in 1894. 

A. L. Hendren was reared and educated in Jefferson Township. He 
was brought up on the farm and since boyhood has been familiar with 
farm life, and has made it his life occupation. He is now one of the 
owners of the old Hendren place, which is known as the Elm Stock 
Farm, and is located in the northeastern part of Jefferson Township. 
This place consists of 200 acres and is well improved and a very product- 
ive fami. He carries on general farming and stock raising. He is 
of the progressive kind of farmer, and keeps in mind the betterment 
and improvement in farming methods and conditions. He takes a keen 
interest in local affairs and has held the office of township trustee. 

Mr. Hendren is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America 
and Brotherhood of American Yoemen, and is a Democrat. 



0. C. Hendren, the owner and proprietor of Clear View Farm, which 
is located in Jefferson Township, north of Bethany, on the Jefferson High- 
way, is one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of Harrison County. 
He was born in Jefferson Township about a mile from the place where 
he now lives, December 10, 1877, and is a son of George W.. and Angelina 
(Kelly) Hendren. , 

George W. Hendren was born in Kentucky and came to Harrison 
County in 1857, and Angeline Kelly is a native of Tennessee, and came 
to Harrison County with her parents at a very early day. George W. 
Hendren removed to Kingman County, Kansas with his family in 1883, 
and remained there until 1889, when he returned to Jefferson Township, 
Harrison County, where he has since made his home. 

About 1897, when O. C. Hendren was twenty years old, he went to 
Kansas again and remained in that state about six years. He then 
returned to Harrison County and operated rented land for some years. 
In 1911 he bought a part of his present place and later bought more 
land from time to time until he is now the owner of 237 acres of valuable 
and well improved land which is excelled by few of any farms in Harri- 
son County. He built a splendid modern residence in 1919 and the other 
buildings and improvements about the place are of a high type and in 



664 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

good condition. A part of this farm was owned by Mr. Hendren's grand- 
father, and he settled here in 1857. Mr. Hendren carries on general 
farming and stock raising. He raises large quantities of wheat and com 
and is also extensively engaged in stock raising. He raises Jersey cattle 
and other breeds and although he keeps a good grade of stock, he makes 
no pretense of being a fancy stock breeder. He is a practical farmer and 
stockman and has had a very successful career. Mr. Hendren was married 
March 15, 1906, to Miss Elizabeth Hefner, a native of Jefferson Township, 
a daughter of S. H. Hefner, and to this union have been bora five chil- 
dren as follows: Zelma, Garvin, Mary, Woodrow and Grace. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hendren are members of the Presbyterian Church and 
he belongs to the Modern Woodman of America. He has always sup- 
ported the policies and principles of the Democratic party and is one of the 
substantial citizens of Jefferson Township and Harrison County. 



B. N. Bell, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson Township who owns and 
operates a farm of 400 acres is a native of West Virginia. He was born 
in Greenbrier County, a son of Joseph and Eliza Jane (Wiley) Bell. 
Joseph Bell, the father, was a soldier in the Confederate Army during the 
Civil War, and was killed in battle, in Virginia. 

Eliza Jane (Wiley) Bell removed from Virginia to Indiana, with 
her family about 1869, and in 1881, came to Harrison County, Missouri, 
and settled in Jefferson Township. She died in 1909, and her remains 
are buried in Harold Cemetery. 

B. N. Bell is the youngest of three children born to his parents. 
The others are: Mary, who married Michael Hillyard, and is now de- 
ceased a sketch of whom appears in this volume, and Lydia, died in 
Virginia. 

B. N. Bell received his education in the public schools and has made 
farming and stock raising the occupation of his life and has met with 
success. He is now the owner of the old homestead in Jefferson Town- 
ship and additional land which aggregate 400 acres. This is one of the 
valuable farms of Harrison County and Mr. Bell has operated it profit- 
ably for a number of years. 

On December 25, 1888, B. N. Bell was married to Mary Buzzard a 
native of Harrison County, born in 1870. She is a daughter of Isiah and 
Melissa (Fields) Buzzard, the former a native of Greenbriar County, West 
Virginia and the latter of Harrision County, Missouri. Isiah Buzzard 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 665 

was born in 1845 and came to Harrison County, with his parents when he 
was seven years old. He grew to manhood here and was engaged in 
farming and stock raising here. He was a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and well and favorably known in Harrison County. 
To Isiah Buzzard and wife were born the following childi'en: Mary, 
Robert W., Charles, Bessie, Harvey, Ernest, Bertha, Onas. Henry lives 
in Canada and Bertha, Harvey Colorado and Charles, California, and the 
others are residents of Harrison County. 

To Mr. and Mrs. B. N. Bell have been born two children : Clella, mar- 
ried Homer Sheppard, of Harrison County and to them were bom two 
children, one died in infancy, and Dorothy Belle Sheppard; and Roy 
Bell, who is on the home farm with his parents. 

Mr. Bell is a public spirited citizen and takes an active interest in 
local affairs. He has served on the school board for twenty-one years 
and has been a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge for fifteen years. 
The Bell family is very prominent in the community. 



John H. Walker, proprietor of the Interstate Tire Shop, of Bethany, 
Missouri, is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of 
Bethany. He is a native of Tazewell County, Virginia, and is a son 
of Hai-ve and Nannie J. (Empschiller) Walker. Harve Walker was a 
native of Vinginia and died in 1886. His widow afterwards married R. 
K. Nickerson, who was the superintendant of the Harrison County poor 
farm, for six years, and died while holding that position. Nannie ( Walker) 
Nickerson died February 2, 1921, aged seventy-one years. 

John H. Walker is the only living child born to his parents. One other, 
Fenton, is deceased. Mr. Walker was reared and educated in Harrison 
County and has practically spent his life here. In 1918, he went to 
Kansas City, Kansas where he learned all the details of the automobile 
tire business and engaged in that business there, which he later sold. On 
February 2, 1921, he established himself in business in Bethany, where 
he purchased the Interstate Tire Shop, which is located just south of 
the Knights of Pythias Hall. Here he carries a complete line of tires, 
and accessories and also does vulcanizing and general tire repair work, 
and has an extensive and profitable business. 

On June 22, 1910, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Carrie I. Wilkison, 
a native of Bethany, and a member of a well known Harrison County 
family, Mrs. Walker is a daughter of J. B. and Jane (Kinkade) Wilkinson. 



666 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

natives of Harrison County, Missouri. They now reside on a farm six 
miles northwest of Eagleville, Missouri. 

Mr. Walker has an extensive acquaintance in Bethany and vicinity, 
where he is regarded as a representative and dependable business man 
of tried integrity. 



Lewis Hendren, a well l^nown fanner and stockman of Jefferson 
Township, was born in this county December 19, 1869, and is a son of 
George W. and Angeline (Kelly) Hendren. Geoi'ge W. Hendren is a 
native of Kentucky, and came to Harrison County in 1856, and now 
resided in Jefferson Township. Angeline Kelly is a native of Tennessee 
and came to Harrison County with her parents in 1857 when she was 
a child. 

To George W. and Angeline (Kelly) Hendren were born the following 
children: Lewis, the subject of this sketch; George E., a veterinary sur- 
geon of Bethany, Missouri; Delia M., married L. C. Wyatt, and they live 
in Topeka, Kansas; Oliver C, of Jeft'erson Township; Rosa J., married 
Jacob Jennings, and lives in Bethany; Charles W., resides at home with 
his parents; and Sarah, deceased. 

The paternal grandfather of Lewis Hendren, William Hendren, Sr., 
came to Harrison County in 1857, locating in Jefferson Township, where 
he farmed until his death, in 1896, at the age of eighty-three years. His 
first wife was Miss Pauline Starks, a native of Kentucky, and she was 
Lewis Hendren's grandmother. 

The maternal grandparents of Lewis Hendren was G. W. and Eliza- 
beth (Alexandria) Kelly, natives of Tennessee, and settled in Harrison 
County, Missouri, in 1857. They are buried in MoitIs Chapel. 

Lewis Hendren was reared on a farm and attended the public schools. 
He began farming for himself early in life and for a number of years has 
been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He first bought 
sixty-seven acres, and afterwards bought more land and is now the owner 
of 125 acres of well improved and valuable land and carries on general 
farming and stock raising and has met with success, and is today one of 
the substantial members of the community. 

Mr. Hendren was married April 28, 1907, to Miss Mary C. McCollum, 
a native of Jefferson Township and a member of one of the pioneer 
families of Harrison County Her parents are John and Elmer Etta (Jeff- 
ries) McCollum, natives of Tennessee, and Kentucky, both now reside 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 667 

at Bethany, Missouri. They have eight living children and one dead. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hendren have been born two children: Clarance, died 
in infancy, and Lewis V., resides at home with his parents. 

Mr. Hendren is a Democrat and for a number of years has taken an 
active part in local politics. He has served as constable, collector, town- 
ship clerk, and assessor. He was the Democratic candidate for county 
treasurer at one time, but on account of the normal Republican majority 
of the county, he was defeated. He has been a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America for twenty-three years and of the Knights of Pyth- 
ias for fifteen years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and 
an Elder, and was for seventeen years clerk of the Mount Olive Congre- 
gation. This church was organized in 1862, and Mr. Hendren has the 
session record since its organization. 



William H. Broiigh, who is one of the well known and prosperous 
stockmen of Jefferson Township, is a native of Indiana, although he has 
spent his life, since early childhood in Harrison County and for many 
years has been identified with the development of this section of the 
state. He was born in Laporte County, Indiana, June 6, 1861, and is a 
son of William and Sarah (Brooks) Brough, both natives of Indiana. 

William Brough, Sr., remained in his native state until 1867, when 
he came to Missouri with his family and settled in Harrison County. 
Here he engaged in farming and stock raising and spent the remainder 
of his life. He was an industrious and hard working man and his life 
was typical of that of the early pioneers, who by their industry and 
dauntless perseverance laid the foundation of Harrison County. 

To William and Sarah (Brooks) Brough were born the following 
children: William H., the subject of this sketch; one who died in in- 
fancy; and Mrs. Amanda Dodge, who lives in Kearney County, Kansas. 
William Brough, Sr., was married three times. By a former marriage, 
he has one daughter, who is now the wife of H. M. Hogan, of .Jefferson 
Township. After the death of his second wife, the mother of William 
H. Brough, the father was again married and to that union were born 
the following children: Peter F., deceased; Emma, who lives in Kansas; 
Fred, lives in Iowa; Hannah, also lives in Iowa; Anna, and Bertha, both 
deceased. 

William H. Brough was about six years old when the family settled 
in Harrison County and here he was reared to manhood and obtained 



668 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

his education in the district school. He was reared on a farm and since 
his childhood days has been familiar with farming and stock raising, 
and began farming for himself at an early age. He is now the owner 
of 290 acres of land, 170 of which constitutes his home place, and 120 
acres in another farm. He carries on general farming and stock rais- 
ing and is meeting with well merited success. He is an extensive hog 
raiser. 

Mr. Brough was married January 8, 1884 to Sarah F. Plank, a native 
of Buchanan County, Missouri, daughter of Thompson and Matilda (Eng- 
land) Plank, former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Jefferson 
Township. Her father, Aaron England, was a pioneer settler of Jeffer- 
son Township and entered forty acres just south of where Mr. Brough 
lives, and the land has never been out of the family, it being a part of 
the Brough farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Brough there have been born six 
children as follows: Mrs. Nora Kibbe, Centerville, Kansas; Charles H., 
Gillett, Wyoming; Earl W., Union Township, Harrison County; Royal, 
died in infancy; Leslie M., an employe of the government, at Washing- 
ton, D. C, and James K., on the home place in Jefferson Township. 

Mr. Brough is enterprising and public spirited and takes a keen 
interest in his community and county. He has served on the school 
board and for the past twenty-five years has been a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Has always been a Republican. 



Charles H. Stanton, owner and proprietor of Long View Stock Farm, 
in Jefferson Township, is one of the enterprising and substantial farmers 
and stockmen of Han-ison County. He is a son of Morris H. and Serena 
J. (Blakeman) Stanton, both natives of New York. They were married 
in Illinois and came to Harrison County, Missouri, in February, 1858, 
making the trip across the country in a covered wagon. This type of 
wagon was known to the early day pioneers as a "prairie schooner". 
After coming here, Morris H. Stanton engaged in farming. During the 
Civil War he was a member of the state militia, although he saw very 
little, if any, service. 

To Morris H. and Serena J. (Blakeman) Stanton were born the fol- 
lowing children: Hardy C, lives in Oklahoma; Alice A., married I. A. 
Edson, of Bethany, Missouri; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Joel 
L., died in 1911 ; Lucy C, married J. H. Smith and died about twenty 
years ago; Edwin M., died in childhood; and one child died in infancy. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 669 

Charles H. Stanton was reared on a farm and received his education 
in the public schools. In early life he engaged in farming and stock 
raising for himself and is now the owner of a valuable farm of 300 acres, 
which is known as Long View Stock Farm. His place is well improved 
and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He is the owner 
of one of the valuable jacks, eligible to registration, of Harrison County. 
He also is extensively engaged in raising sheep. 

Mr. Stanton was married August 4, 1887 to Rachel Wiatt, a native 
of Harrison County, Missouri, and to that union were bom the following 
children: Guy A., who lives in Colorado; Robert W., Union Township; 
Willa J., married L. R. Barnes. Dallas Township; Morris J., died in in- 
fancy; and Joel C, Union Township, Harrison County. By a second mar- 
riage, Mr. Stanton has one son, Donald K., who resides at home with his 
parents. Mr. Stanton has a stepdaughter, Ruth Montgomery, whom he 
raised and she is now the wife of Donald S. Martin and they live in Sher- 
man Township, Harrison County. 

Mr. Stanton has been a member of the school board for a number 
of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
having held membership in that order for the past twelve years. He is 
a substantial citizen and one of the representative men of Harrison 
County. 



Elden Landes, of .Jefferson Township, is a well known and prog- 
ressive farmer and stockman. He is a native of Harrison County, and 
was bom in Trail Creek Township, November 9, 1889. He is a son of 
Daniel and Nancy (Stauffer) Landes, both natives of Indiana. 

Daniel Landes was married in Indiana and in 1876, came west and 
settled in Daviess County, Missouri. He remained there until 1881, 
when he came to Harrison County. 

To Daniel and Nancy (Stauffer) Landes were born the following 
children: HaiTy, lives in Billings, Oklahoma; Charles, Ridgeway, Mis- 
souri; Riley, died in 1918, and is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery; Alice, 
married Charles Price, Ridgeway, Missouri; Clara, married Clarence 
Francis and is now deceased; George, died in 1907; Eva. married Calvin 
Longfellow, Madison Township; Maud, married John Edward, Harrison 
County; and Etta, married George Howell, Kansas City, Missouri; and 
Eldon, the subject of this sketch. 



670 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Eldon Landes was reared in Harrison County and obtained his edu- 
cation in the pubhc schools. He has always followed farming and stock 
raising and is now the owner of a well improved farm of 120 aci-es, where 
he is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He keeps a 
good grade of stock. 

Mr. Landes was married in 1910 to Miss Lillie M. Jinks, a native of 
Harrison County, Missouri. She died in 1915 and was buried at Ridge- 
way. 

Mr. Landes second marriage was with Edna McCorkle, a native of 
Iowa, and a resident of Harrison County at time of her marriage, and 
two children were born to this union, Gerald H., and Wilbur Lee. Mr. 
Landes also has two children by his first marriage, Loren D. and Lila. 

Mr, Landes is serving his second term as collector and constable of 
Jeffersoi: Township and is the present clerk of the school board. He is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge and is one 
of the substantial citizens of this county. He is a Republican. 



Robert S. Frame, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Jefferson 
Township, who is well known as a successful breeder of pure bred Poland 
China hogs, is a native of Harrison County. He was born July 8, 1885, 
and is the son of J. W. and Mary E. (Stolls) Frame, natives of Guernsey 
County, Ohio, a more detailed history of whom is given in the biograph- 
ical sketch of John W. Frame in this volume. 

Robert S. Frame was reared in Jefferson Township and received his 
education in the public schools. Smce early life he has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising and in recent years he has given special atten- 
tion to the breeding of big bone Poland China hogs. He has on his 
place some of the finest registered Poland China hogs to be found any 
place. He recently sold one which weighed 800 pounds and he has a 
valuable registered male hog which is a little over a year old and weighs 
over 500 pounds. Mr. Frame has a well improved fann of 240 acres and 
cames on general farming and stock raising, his place being well adapted 
to both grain fanning and raising stock. His barn, which is 40x60 feet, 
is a unique structure and is built entirely of poles. It is a substantial 
building and is unusual in its plan as well as the material of which it is 
constructed. 

Mr. Frame was mamed September 8, 1908, to Miss Minnie E. 
Groomer, a native of Daviess County, Missouri. She was bom in May, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 671 

1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Frame have been born two children, James L., 
born September 8, 1915, and Opal L., born May 10, 1918. 

Mr. Frame is an entei-prising citizen and one of the progressive and 
public spirited men of Harrison County. 



J. C. Thompson, the capable cashier of the Citizens Bank of Eagle- 
ville, is a native of Harrison County. He was born in Colfax Township, 
June 13, 1890, and is a son of W. C. and Dane (Brower) Thompson. 

W. C. Thompson was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and came to 
Missouri when he was about twenty years old. He located in Colfax town- 
ship, Harrison County where he was successfully engaged in farming 
and stock raising until recent years. He is now living retired at Blythe- 
dale, Missouri. 

Dane (Brower) Thompson was born in Dubuque, Iowa and is a 
daughter of Judge J. D. Brower, who during his life time was one of 
the most prominent citizens of Harrison County. He was a native of 
Indiana, and came to Harrison County before the Civil War and settled 
in Hamilton Township. He was a successful farmer and stockman and 
was also engaged in the mercantile business in Eagleville for a time. He 
was a prominent Republican and was a member of the county court of 
Harrison County for three terms and represented Harrison County in the 
State Legislature one term. He vi-as a soldier in the Union Army dur- 
ing the Civil War and made a good military record but never would ac- 
cept a pension. He took the position that there were others who needed 
pensions worse than he did, and that they ere the ones who should have 
it. He died at Hamburg, Iowa, and his remains are buried at Eagleville. 

J. C. Thompson is one of a family of three born to his parents, 
the eldest of whom is Ray, a farmer and stockman, living north of Bly- 
thedale, and the youngest is Agnes, who is now the wife of Ed. M. Bridges, 
of St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Mr. Thompson was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
district school and the school at Lamoni, Iowa and the Eagleville High 
School. He remained on the home farm until 1914 when he entered the 
employ of the Citizens Bank of Eagleville, as assistant cashier. He 
remained in that capacity for two years when he became cashier of the 
Bank of Blythedale. After remaining there three years he was elected 
cashier of the Citizens Bank of Eagleville, in 1919, and has filled that 
position until the present time. 



672 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The Citizens Bank of Eagleville was orgnaized with a capital stock 
of $10,000 in 1900. The first cashier was John Barber who served in 
that capacity until 1908, when he was succeeded by J. C. Barber, who 
served until November, 1919, when he was succeeded by J. C. Thompson, 
th present cashier. George A. Powell was the first president and has 
held that position from the organization of the bank until the present time. 
G. D. Cramer has been vice-president since the organization of the bank. 
The present directors are George A. Powell, George D. Cramer, J. S. 
Vanzant, J. C. Barber, C. B. Hunsicker, B. B. Sharp. The deposits of the 
bank on June 16, 1921, were $100,000; loans. $290,000 and capital and 
surplus, $75,000. The bank owns its own building and is one of the 
substantial institutions of Harrison County. 

J. C. Thompson was married in 1915, to Miss Ethel Hart, a daughter 
of Judge John Hail, a prominent farmer and stockman, who lives north 
of Eagleville. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born three children Neva, 
Elane, and Mary. 

Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and is a Republicon. He has an extensive ac- 
quaintance in Harrison County and is held in the highest regard by all who 
know him. 



Albert T. Hogan, a well-to-do farmer and stockmen of Jefferson Tovra- 
ship, and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, is a native of Harrison 
County, and a member of one of the pioneer families of this section. He 
was born November 22, 1879, a son of Henry M. and Mary A. (Brough) 
Hogan. 

Henry M. Hogan came from Iowa in an early day and settled in 
Jefferson Township, Han-ison County. He came here before the Civil 
War, but was too young for military service during the war. He was a 
successful farmer and stock raiser and spent his life in Jefferson Town- 
ship after coming here. He died at the age of sixty-two years. 

Mary A. (Brough) Hogan was a native of Indiana, and a daughter 
of W. M. Brough, Sr. 

To Henry M. and Mary A. (Brough) Hogan, were born the following 
children: Candacy, deceased; Albert T., the subject of this sketch; Wil- 
iam R., who resides on the old home place; Nora A., Washington Town- 
ship; John S., Dallas Township; Jessie C, Jefferson Tovraship; Beatrice, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 673 

lives at Blue Ridge, and Robert Lee, and Homer Earl, both of whom died 
in childhood. 

Albert T. Hogan, was reared to manhood on the home place and 
received his education in the public schools. April 16, 1898, he enlisted 
for the Spanish-American War and was discharged, February 3, 1899. 
He then re-enlisted in the United States Army, October 3, 1899, and saw 
much service in the Philippine Islands during the insurrection there, 
which followed the Spanish-American War. He was in the following en- 
gagements: Magdalan, January 19, 1900; Nasagbu, February 21, 1900;. 
near Pasacao, April 15, 1900 ; Lupi, August 15, 1900 ; Leubanan, August 
20, 1900. He was with General Wheaton's Expedition into the Province 
of Cavite, from January 5, to January 14, 1900, and with Colonel Dorst's 
Expedition to Nasagbu, January 15, to 19, 1900, and with General Bates' 
Expedition into the Province of Southern Camarines, February 15, to 
February 22, 1900, and with Colonel Parkers' Expedition, to Pasaco, 
February 26, 1900, and with Major Nolan's Expedition, to Ragay, Au- 
gust 12, to 21, 1900. During the early part of his service, Mr. Hogan was 
made corporal and was promoted to sergeant April 13, 1901. and held that 
rank when he received his honorable discharge, at the Presidio, at San 
Francisco, California, June 3, 1901. 

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Hogan returned to Harrison 
County and engaged in farming in Jefferson Township. He first pur- 
chased sixty acres of land and bought more land from time to time and is 
now the owner of 280 acres of land in Jefferson Township. His place is 
well improved and Mr. Hogan has placed most of the improvements on the 
farm himself. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is 
one of the successful men of Harrison County. 

On April 23, 1905, Albert T. Hogan was married to Miss Eva Dillard, 
a native of Albany, Missouri. To this union were born three children as 
follows: Gladys 0., Mary M., and Eva, all of whom reside at home; and 
Gladys is a student in the high school. Mrs. Hogan departed this life in 
1918 and her remains are buried in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery 
at Bethany, Missouri. 

Mr. Hogan has been a member of the school board for the past 
fifteen years and has also served as constable and collector of Jefferson 
Township. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge for 
seventeen years and belongs to the Christian Church. 

(38) 



674 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

E. C. Ross, a prominent farmer and stockman of Dallas Township, 
was a successful teacher in Harrison County for thirty-two years. He 
was born in Harrison County, February 2, 1856, son of Hugh and Cath- 
arine (Carter) Ross, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of 
Indiana. 

Hugh Ross came from Ohio to Missouri in 1842 ard was one of the 
very early settlers of Gentry County. He remained in that county until 
about 1845, when he moved to Harrison County. He was an early day 
school teacher and taught school in Harrison and Gentry counties for 
about twenty years. Later in life he devoted himself to farming and 
stock raising. He was married to Catharine Carter in 1843. She was 
a member of one of the very earliest pioneer families of Gentry County. 
She came from Indiana with her parents in 1839 and the family settled 
in Gentry County. 

To Hugh and Catharine (Carter) Ross were born the following chil- 
dren : James, died in Iowa in 1861 ; Susan, man-ied Harve Long, of Iowa 
and they are both deceased; Mary, married John Demott, both deceased; 
Martha, married C C. Noble and they live in New Hampton, Missouri; 
Jane A., married Jasper A. Crane and after his death she married 
Leonard Hines; Nancy, married J. L. Solomon, New Hampton, Missouri; 
E. C, the subject of this sketch; Arch F., farmer, Dallas Township; 
Sai'ah, married I. M. Edson, Dallas Township; Marguerite, married James 
Edson, Dallas Township. 

E. C. Ross was reared to manhood in Dallas ToAvnship r.nd was 
educated in the public schools of Dallas Township and at Bethany ; he 
then attended the State Teachers College at Kirksville. Missouri. He 
began teaching school in early life and for thirty-two years he was 
recognized as one of the able teachers of Harrison County. Six out of 
eight of his children have also been teachers and the youngest is now 
engaged in that profession. 

Ml*. Ross was also interested in fanning while he was engaged in 
teaching and is now the owner of a valuable farm of 280 acre;? of well 
improved land where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising for many years and which is now being operated by his son 
Lewis. Mr. Ross is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. 

Mr. Ross was married February 4, 1879, to Emma J. Apperson, a 
native of Cole County, Illinois and to Mr. and Mrs. Ross have been born 
eight children as follow: John H., Bethany, Missouri; Arch W., de- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 675 

ceased; W. E., married Marie Baldwin and they live in Dallas Township; 
Mrs. Mary P. Ebersole, Albany, Missouri; Mrs. Catharine Nickerson, 
Bethany Township; Leslie L., White Oak Township; Lewis C, who is 
operating the home place with his parents and Jean N., a teacher at 
High Point. 

Mr. Ross is a progressive and public spirited citizen and the Ross 
family stand high in Harrison County. 



Jesse F. Frank, a progressive and well-to-do farmer and stockman 
of Dallas Township, who is the owner and proprietor of Hill View Farm, 
is a native of Iowa. He was born in Warren County, July 7, 1881, and 
is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Opie) Frank, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania and the mother was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Henry Frank came West and located in Iowa about 1870 and was 
engaged in farming and stock raising in Warren County until the time 
of his death. He served in the Union army during the Civil War, hav- 
ing enhsted in 1862. He participated in a number of important engage- 
ments and numerous skirmishes and was with Sherman on the famous 
march through Georgia and to the sea. He died in Warren County, 
Iowa, in 1887 and is buried there. He was married to EHzabeth Opie, 
December 25, 1866. 

To Henry and Elizabeth (Opie) Frank were bom five children as 
follows: Alice, married James Frank and they live in Illinois; Cora, mar- 
ried L. C. Wright and they live in South Dakota; Nancy, married A. N. 
Smith, Centerville, Kansas; Grace, married Joe Tremble, and they live in 
Iowa; and Jesse F., the subject of this review. 

Jesse F. Frank was reared on a farm and received a good common 
school education in the district schools. He began life as a farmer and 
stockman and is now the owner of a splendid farm of 320 acres which 
is known as Hill View Farm and is located in Dallas Township, about one 
and one-half miles south of Martinsville. The place is well improved 
and all of the improvements have been made by Mr. Frank. He carries 
on general farming and stock raising and is one of the successful farmers 
of Harrison County. He raises registered big boned Poland China hogs 
and at this writing has about eighty head on hand. Mrs. Frank is one 
of the successful poultry raisers of this section. She raises standard 
bred White Leghorn chickens of the Hill View strain. She also raises 



676 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mammoth White Holland turkeys with which she has been very suc- 
cessful. 

Mr. Frank was married August 6, 1901 to Miss Bffie England, a 
native of Harrison County and to this union two children have been 
born as follow: Archie H., a graduate of the Bethany High School, of 
the class of 1921 and now a student in the University of Missouri, at 
Columbia; and George D., who is attending school in Betliany. 

Mr. Frank is one of the dependable citizens of Harrison County and 
the Frank family is well known and highly respected. 



Archibald F. Ross is a prominent farmer of Dallas Township and 
a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. 
He was born in Harrison County, February 17, 1858, a son of Hugh and 
Catharine (Cai'ter) Ross, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of 
Indiana. 

Hugh Ross came to Missouri and first located in Gentiy County, in 
1841 and his wife came here the following year. Hugh Ross remained 
in Gentry County a few years, when he came to Harrison County, and 
settled in Dallas Township. This was about 1845. He was a pioneer 
school teacher in this section but devoted his life chiefly to farming 
and stock raising. 

Hugh Ross and his wife were the parents of the following children: 
James R., died in Iowa, in 1861 ; Susan, married Harvey Long and they 
are deceased; Mary, married John Demott and they are deceased; 
Martha, married C. C. Noble, New Hampton, Missouri; Jane, married 
Leonard Himes, Dallas Township; Nancy, married J. L. Solomon, New- 
Hampton; E. C, Dallas Township: A. F., the subject of this sketch; 
Sarah, married I. M. Edson, Dallas Township, and Marguerite, married 
James Edson, Dallas Tovniship. 

A. F. Ross was reared in Dallas Township and educated in the public 
schools and the State Teachers College at Kirkville, Missouri. He has 
made farming and stock raising his chief occupation and has met with 
success. He now owns 240 acres which is one of the best farms in Har- 
rison County. His place is well improved with a good residence and 
other farm buildings and it is under a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Ross was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Barbara Ann Hen- 
dricks. Her father is now deceased, having departed this life January 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 677 

5, 1921, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and her mother now 
makes her home with Mrs. Ross and is eighty-five years old. 

To Mrs. and Mr. Ross have been born seven children as follow: 
Mrs. Ella Stewart, lives in Gentry County; Mrs. Bessie Van Hoozer, 
Dallas Township; Charles I., Dallas Township; Mrs. Addie Kelsey, Cam- 
eron, Missouri; Mary, died in 1892, and is buried in Kidwell Cemetery; 
Mrs. Willa Nickerson, Jefferson Township, and Wilbur Carter lives at 
home with his parents. 

Mr. Ross is public spirited and takes a commendable interest in local 
affairs. He has served as township trustee and on the local school board. 
He is a member of the Methodist Church and ranks as one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Harrison County. 



Elmer C. Baldwin, one of the well known and substantial citizens 
of Dallas Township, is a native of Harrison County and a member of one 
of the honored pioneer families of northern Missouri. He was bom in 
Dallas Township, March 24, 1868, a son of E. T. and Margaret (Clark) 
Baldwin, the former a native of Michigan, born March 24, 1837, and 
the latter a native of Ohio. 

The Clark family went to Iowa at an early day and Margaret Clark 
accompanied her parents to that state. Later they came to Missouri and 
settled in Dallas Township, Harrison County. After coming to Harrison 
County, E. T. Baldwin entered 160 acres of government land on section 
21, in Dallas Township and followed farming and stock raising for a 
number of years. He served in the Union army in the Civil War and 
held the rank of lieutenant. He was prominent in the affairs of Har- 
rison County and one of its most widely known citizens. He died in 
1912 and his wife died in 1878, and they are buried in Kidwell Cemetery. 
They were the parents of the following children: Judge W. C, Dallas 
Township; Edward, died in infancy; James died in infancy; Elmer C, 
the subject of this sketch; Lucille, who was a teacher in the Bethany 
Schools for a number of years, and Hattie, both of whom live on the 
old home place in Dallas Township. 

Elmer C. Baldwin was educated in the district schools of Dallas 
Township and the Stanberry Normal School at Stanberry, Missouri, and 
in early life taught school for four or five years. However, he has made 
fanning and stock raising his chief occupation and is one of the sue- 



678 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

cessful farmers and stockmen of Harrison County. He owns a splendid 
farm of 340 acres which is under a high state of cultivation and well 
improved. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met 
with success. 

Mr. Baldwin was married December 27, 1900, to Miss Jennie Scott, 
a native of Harrison County and they have three children: Margarite, 
who graduated at the Martinsville Consolidated High School in the class 
of 1921, now a student at Park College, Parkville, Missouri; Trumen, age 
thirteen; and Eleanor, age nine. 

Mr. Baldwin is a member of the board of directors and secretary of 
the Bank of Martinsville, and is a member of the local school board. He 
has held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge for 
twenty-five years and the Baldwin family belong to the Presbyterian 
Church at Martinsville, Missouri. Mr. Baldwin is an enterprising citizen 
and has an extensive acquaintance and stands high in the community. 



Joe L. Rader, the capable and popular postmaster of Martinsville, 
Missouri, is a native of Han-ison County and has been identified with 
this section of the state all his life. He was bom December 10, 1881, a 
son of John M. and Martha J. (Funk) Rader, natives of Indiana. They 
were married in Indiana and in 1872 came to Missouri and settled in 
Harrison County, where the father engaged in farming and stock raising. 

To John M. Rader and wife were born the following children: James 
M., who lives in Woods County, Oklahoma; Mrs. Ova Clipp, of New 
Hampton, Missouri; Mrs. C. L. Crafts, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Etta, de- 
ceased ; and Joe L., the subject of this sketch. 

Joe L. Rader was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools of New Hampton and has always been engaged in clerical 
work. In 1918, he was appointed postmaster of Martinsville, and since 
that time he has faithfully and eflSciently discharged the duties of that 
office. He has a nice home and ten acres of land at Martinsville, where 
he is successfully engaged in raising chickens. 

Mr. Rader was married in October, 1907, to Miss Edna M. Van 
Hooser, a native of Harrison County and a member of one of the pioneer 
families of Dallas Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Rader has been born one 
child, Wanola. who is now a student in the Martinsville High School. 

Mr. Rader has an extensive acquaintance in Harrison County and 
is a dependable and highly respected citizen. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 679 

Lewis R. Marrs, a prosperous farmer and stockman, of Dallas Town- 
ship, is a native of Denver, Worth County, Missouri. He was born March 
1, 1871 and is a son of Willis and Elizabeth (McGee) Marrs. 

Willis Marrs was born in Iowa in 1839, while his parents were 
enroute from Illinois to Missouri. Dr. Willis Marrs was a son of James 
Madison and Elizabeth (Canierer) Marrs. The former, a native of 
Clarke County, Indiana, born June 10, 1816. He was a son of Major 
James Marrs, born in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1798 and died August 
24, 1859. He married Nancy Carr, a native of Pennsylvania and she 
died February 12, 1871. He came in April, 1840, to Missouri and he 
and his wife are buried in Henton Cemetery, Gentry County. The grand- 
father and grandmother are both buried in Carter Cemetery, Gentry 
County. James Madison Marrs was the first settler of Howard Town- 
ship, Gentry County, and his wife was the only white woman this far 
north in the then unbroken wilderness of this section. 

Dr. Willis Marrs spent his early life in Gentry County, and later 
located at Denver, Worth County, where he was engaged in the practice 
of medicine during the remainder of his life. He died in 1892 and his 
remains are buried in the McGee Cemetery in Gentry County. Willis 
Marrs and Elizabeth McGee were married about 1866. She was a native 
of Kentucky and came to Missouri -.vith her parents in 1856. He was a 
prominent military man and was a great drill master and drilled soldiers 
for different wars. 

To Willis and Elizabeth (McGee) Marrs were born the following 
children: James T., bora September 13, 1867, and died in 1920; Ollie 
Morris, bom April 17, 1869 and died in 1894; Lewis R., the subject of 
this sketch; Amanda, born October 16, 1872, married G. J. McGee, of St. 
Joseph, Missouri; Jane, born October 15, 1874, married Sam Jones, 
Pritcher, Oklahoma ; Beulah, born March 17, 1876, married Hugh F. 
McKee, Weiser, Idaho; George, born May 7, 1879, and died in infancy; 
John, born November 16, 1880, died in 1883 and Lena, born December 1, 
1882, died November 27, 1898. The mother was bora December 31, 
1842, and died April 7, 1884. 

L. R. Marrs received his education in the public schools at Denver, 
Missouri and early in life engaged in farming and stock raising. He 
owns a valuable farm of 240 acres in Dallas Township, where he carries 
on general farming and stock raising and is recognized as one of the suc- 
cessful men of affairs of Harrison County. 



680 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Marrs was married September 21, 1897 to Barbara Sevenson, a 
native of Gentry County, born in 1866, a daughter of William and Achrah 
Jane (Dennson) Stevenson, the former a native of Scotland and the 
mother of Massachusetts. 

The Stevenson family settled in Gentry County in 1865, coming 
from Wisconsin. They drove with oxen. When Mrs. Stevenson was a 
girl about fifteen years old she rode on the first railroad that was built 
in the United States from Albany to Schnectady and would never I'ide on 
a railroad train again. Thoy spent their lives in Gentry County after 
coming here. They first lived in a log house which later was replaced 
by a more modern residence. The father died December 17, 1900, aged 
eighty-six years, and the mother was born in 1826, within forty miles 
of Boston and died in October 29, 1895 and are both buried in Carter 
Cemetery, Gentry County. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Marrs have been born two childi'en: Thankful, 
born July 11, 1898, married Elvis Rice, Dallas Township, and Lorraine, 
born April 2, 1901, at home with her parents. 

The Marrs residence is one of the fine modern homes of Harrison 
County. It is a ten room structure and beautifully finished throughout. 
Mrs. Marrs is a very successful poultry raiser and at this writing has 
over a thousand chickens on hand. Mr. Marrs has been a director in the 
Bank of Martinsville ever since that bank was organized and has served 
as township trustee. He has been a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows for the past twenty years and is one of the well known 
representative citizens of Harrison County. 



Roy C. Travis, the owner and proprietor of Hill View Poultry Farm, 
which is located on sections 35 and 36, Dallas Township, is a native son 
of Harrison County. He was born August 15, 1882, a son of Charles 
and Eliza (Music) Travis, both natives of Harrison County. 

Charles Travis was born in this county in 1858 and was engaged in 
farming and stock raising here until 1888, when he went to California 
and after remaining about a year returned to Harrison County, which 
has since been his home. 

Roy Travis was reared in Dallas Township and attended the district 
school. Later he attended the Stanberry Normal School at Stanberry, 
Missouri. He has made farming and stock raising his life occupation 
and has met with success. Mrs. Travis is one of the successful poultry 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 681 

raisers of Dallas Township and specializes in raising White Leghorn 
chickens. She raises a standard bred strain of chickens and keeps about 
350 on hand and each season raises about a thousand chicks. She also 
sells large quantities of eggs for hatching purposes. Hill View Poultry 
Farm is well improved and is productive land. It is located about seven 
miles from Bethany. 

Roy Travis was married in September, 1907, to Miss Vernie Oyler, 
a native of Harrison County and a member of one of the prominent 
pioneer families of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Travis have been born 
one child, Doris, who was born in 1909 and resides at home with her 
parents. 

Mr. Travis is a progressive and enterprising citizen and the Travis 
family stand high in the community. 



J. A. Gutridge, a well known farmer and stockman of Union Town- 
ship is a native of Harrison County and his parents were among the 
early settlers here. He was born November 13, 1862, the son J. N. 
and Rachel (Dorrel) Gutridge. 

J. N. Gutridge was born in Ohio and his wife was a native of Indi- 
ana. He was an early settler in Missouri, coming to this state about 
1853. In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Union 
army and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Har- 
rison County and spent several years here and went to Indiana where he 
died. His wife died in Harrison County. 

To J. N. and Rachel (Dorrel) Gutridge were born the following 
children: Cordelia, married G. W. Buntin, of Ridgeway, Missouri; H. 
S., is deceased and his remains are buried in the Allen Cemetery; E. M., 
died in the west; S. T., died at the age of thirty years and is buried in 
the Allen Cemetery; James H., lives in Marion Township, Harrison 
County, and J. A., the subject of this sketch. 

J. A. Gutridge was reared in Union Township and received his edu- 
cation in the district school. He began farming and stock raising in 
early life and has been successful in that field of endeavor. He is the 
owner of 136 acres of well improved land which is under a high state of 
cultivation. He carries on general framing and stock raising. 

Mr. Gutridge was married in 1883 to Miss Columbia J. Triplett, who 
is a member of one of the pioneer families of Harrison County, who set- 
tled here at an early date. To Mr. and Mrs. Gutridge have been born 



682 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

the following children: H. E., who lives in St. Joseph, Missouri; H. C, 
Coffey County, Kansas; Alva N., Union Township; Clella M., married 
Alva Wolcut; Stella 0., who died in 1919, and is buried in Allen Ceme- 
tery; one died in infancy; and Velma L., married H. R. Shaw, of Marion 
Township, Harrison County. 

Mr. Gutridge has always taken an active interest in local affairs 
and has served as township collector, school director and as a member 
of the board of trustees of the township. He is progressive, enterpris- 
ing and one of the dependable citizens of Harrison County. 



Peter McCaul, a Civil War veteran, now deceased, was a pioneer 
settler and a prominent farmer and stockman of Union Township, Har- 
rison County. He was a native of Ireland, bom April 5, 1837. He came 
to America when he was fourteen years old and first located in Brooklyn, 
New York, where he remained about six years. Later he came to St. 
Louis, Missouri, and from there to Harrison County. When the Civil 
War broke out he enlisted in August, 1861 and served in the commis- 
sary department. He was discharged on account of disability before 
the close of the war. After the war he returned to Harrison County 
where he was engaged in the general mercantile business and later in 
farming and stock raising until the time of his death, February 13, 1889. 

Peter McCaul was chief clerk for The Markey Mercantile Company 
at New Orleans, Louisiana, and left there during the yellow fever 
epidemic. He settled in St. Louis jfor a time. In 1860 he came to Har- 
rison County. After the Civil War in 1868, he conducted a general store 
at Eagleville, Missouri. He with his sister, Ma)-gurate, conducted a 
grocery store at Brooklyn, New York before going south. 

Mr. McCaul was a Democrat in his political views. 

Peter McCaul was married in 1870 to Mary McKone. She is a native 
of Maine and came west to Illinois with her parents when a girl. In 
1869, they came to Missouri. She now lives on the old home place in 
Union Township. This is one of the valuable farms of Harrison County 
and consists of 380 acres of valuable land. Peter McCaul was a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge for twenty-five years 
and was a substantial and highly respected citizen. 

To Peter and Mary McCaul were born the following children: Ed- 
ward F., who lives on the home place in Union Township; Isabelle, mar- 
ried J. H. Ward, of Springfield, Missouri; Peter B., Horton, Kansas; J. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 683 

C, who lives on a part of the old home place in Union Township and owns 
160 acres of land, which he homesteaded near Roosevelt, Oklahoma; 
Michael, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri ; and Marguerite, who is a 
teacher at Centralia, Missouri. 

Michael McCaul enlisted in the World War in 1917 and after a 
period of training in Camp Funston he was commissioned a first lieu- 
tenant. He went overseas June 7, 1918, and served in the quartermaster 
department. He remained in France until after the armistice was signed 
and later returned to the United States and received his discharge at 
Camp Taylor, Kentucky. 

The McCaul family is one of the prominent families of Harrison 
County. Mrs. McCaul is a member of the Catholic Church of Andover 
neighborhood. She is one of the estimable women of Harrison County. 



E. L. Mitchell, owner and proprietor of Brookdale Stock Farm, in 
Union Township, is a leading farmer and stockman of Harrison County. 
He was born September 26, 1866, and is a son of David S. and Eliza J. 
(Mathes) Mitchell, natives of Indiana. They were married in Indiana, 
and in 1868, the family came to Missouri and settled in Harrison County. 

To David S. and Eliza J. (Mathes) Mitchell, were born the follow- 
ing children: William, died at the age of twenty years; Elmer, died at 
the age of two years; E. L., the subject of this sketch; John P., lives in 
Harrison County; Sarah H., married Sherman Dale, and died January 17, 
1921, and her remains are buried at Eagleville; Emery M., lives in St. 
Joseph, Missouri; Clara M., married Tom Beeks, Union Tovraship. 

E. L. Mitchell was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools. He engaged in fanning and stock raising when a young 
man and has successfully followed that field of endeavor to the present 
time. He is now the owner of 345 acres of well improved and valuable 
land which is one of the best farms in Harrison County. The place has 
an ample supply of water and is well adapted to either stock raising or 
general farming. 

On September 9, 1888, E. L. Mitchell was united in marriage with 
Sarah J. Tripp and the following children were born to this union: Ocie 
0., lives at Lingle, Wyoming; Orren, lives in Wyoming; Opal A., resides 
at home; Thelma 0., is a graduate of the Torrington High School, Torr- 
ington, Wyoming; one child died in infancy; and Manley B., resides at 
home. 



684 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Mitchell is a public spirited citizen and has contributed his share 
to the upbuilding and development of Union Township and Harrison 
County and the Mitchell family is represented of the leading people of 
Harrison County. Mr. Mitchell has been a member of the Modern Wood- 
men of America Lodge for the past thirty years. 



W. A. Wethered, a substantial citizen of Bethany, is a native of Mis- 
souri and a member of one of the early pioneer families, of the northern 
part of the state. He was born in Grundy County, Missouri, September 
2, 1866, and is a son of Charles W. and Elizabeth (Handy) Wethered. 

Charles W. Wethered was born in Canada, November 17, 1836. He 
was a son of George Wethered, who came to Iowa with his family at 
an early day and settled near Ottumwa and there Charles W. Wethered 
grew to manhood. When he first came to Harrison County he lived near 
New Hampton for a time and later he removed to Trail Creek Township, 
where he bought a farm and was successfully engaged in farming and 
stock raising during the remainder of his life and became very well-to- 
do. He died in 1905 and is buried at Mount Moriah. Elizabeth (Handy) 
Wethered was born in Indiana in 1844 and in 1850 her parents came 
West and located in Iowa. She now resides at Bethany. 

To Charles W. and Elizabeth (Handy) Wethered were born the fol- 
lowing children: George, died in childhood; W. A., the subject of this 
sketch; R. D., a successful farmer of Trail Creek Township; Frank E., 
who lives on the old home place in Trail Creek Township; Lewis lives in 
Bethany; E. H., Grant Township; and Mary J., married T. C. Miles, of 
Grant Township ; and twins, Clarence and Clara, who died in infancy. 

W. A. Wethered was reared to manhood in Harrison County and 
has always been interested in farming. He is now the owner of a valu- 
able farm of 300 acres which is located in Sherman Township. Mr. 
Wethered was married in 1902 to Miss Mabel Selby and they have one 
child, Illene. 

Mr. Wethered has always taken an active part in the public affairs 
of his township and county and has held the office of township trustee 
and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and is a progressive, enterprising, and dependable citizen. 
The Wethered family is one of the representative families of Harrison 
County. Mr. Wethered moved to Bethany in 1918 where he still resides. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 685 

L. Underwood, a leading farmer and stockman of Union Township, 
was born in January 4, 1864, in Hamilton Township, a son of James and 
Sarah (McCarty) Underwood, the former a native of South Carolina, who 
died when L. Underwood of this sketch was eleven months old. The 
mother died in 1896. 

L. Underwood received his education in the public schools and has 
been engaged in farming and stock raising since early manhood. He is 
the owner of 280 acres of highly improved and productive land. Much 
of his place is devoted to grass and vdth an ample supply of water makes 
it an ideal stock farm. Mr. Underwood is one of the successful men of 
affairs of Harrison County. 

L. Underwood was united in marriage in 1886 with Miss M^l'y 
Thompson, a native of Harrison County. She was a daughter of John 
and Comfort Thompson, early settlers in this section. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Underwood were born three children: John T., farmer and stockman, 
Union Township; Maude M., married B. H. Burckett, Union Township; 
and Olin K., farmer, Hamilton Township. Mrs. Underwood departed 
this life July 20, 1920, and her remains are buried at Eagleville, Mis- 
souri. She was a highly esteemed woman and had many friends in 
Union Township. 

Mr. Underwood is a progressive and public spirited citizen and ranks 
as one of the substantial men of Harrison County. 



W. J. Allen, a well known and successful blacksmith of Bethany, 
Missouri, is a member of one of the very early pioneer families of Har- 
rison County. He was born November 5, 186-3, and is a son of Stephen 
C. and Mary A. (Gore) Allen. 

Stephen C. Allen was a native of Tennessee, born in January, 1818, 
in Overton County, and came to Harrison County in 1840 and entered 
government land near what is now Gardner Station. He remained on 
that place about ten years when he engaged in the dry goods business 
in Bethany. After remaining here in business for some years, he re- 
moved the dry goods business to Ringgold, Iowa, where he was also 
engaged in the dry goods business for a few years, when he was burned 
out. He then engaged in the drug business at Bethany and spent the 
remainder of his life here. He was prominent in the early day affairs 
of Harrison County and represented this county in the state legislature. 



686 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

during the years of 1850, 1856 and 1860. He was speaker of the house 
during the last term. After the Civil War he served as captain of the 
local militia company for a number of years. He died March 28, 1896. 
Mary A. (Gore) Allen was also a native of Tennessee, born in 1822; she 
died June 6, 1897. To Stephen C. and Mary A. (Gore) Allen were born 
eleven children, the following of whom are now living: Mrs. C. P. Hill- 
man, Albany, Missouri; Mrs. J. P. Hamilton, Bethany, Missouri; Mrs. 
Anna Johnson, who lives at Turlock, California; Mrs. Carrie Goodwin, 
lives in Claranda, Iowa; I. N., a tinner who lives in Bethany; and W. J., 
the subject of this sketch. 

W. J. Allen was reared in Bethany and received his education in the 
public schools and when a young man learned the blacksmith trade which 
has been the chief occupation of his life. He now conducts a shop in 
Bethany and does an extensive business in that line of work and is 
recognized as a skilled workman. 

Mr. Allen was married July 22, 1916, to Mrs. Campbell, a widow of 
John Campbell. No children have been born to this union. By a former 
man-iage Mr. Allen has one child, Mary, who is now the wife of Louis J. 
Moore, now living in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Mr. Allen has an extensive acquaintance in Bethany and Harrison 
County and is recognized as a dependable citizen. 



Carl F. Morris, a well known and successful farmer of Jefferson 
Township, who owns and operates the Ridgeland Stock Farm, is a native 
son of Harrison County. He was born in Jefferson Township in 1879 
and is a son of Andrew and Martha (Alexander) Morris. 

Andrew J. Morris was bom in Greenbriar County, Virginia, which 
is now West Virginia, in 1847, and came to Harrison County, Missouri, 
with his parents when he was eight years old. Here he grew to man- 
hood and spent his life engaged in farming and stock raising. During 
the Civil War he was a member of the state militia, although he never 
saw active service. 

To Andrew J. and Martha (Alexander) Morris were born the fol- 
lowing children: Robert, a professional musician; Anna, died in 1900; 
Charles, died in 1913, and he and Anna are buried in Morris Chapel Ceme- 
tery; Mary; Carl F., the subject of this sketch; Homer; Earnest; and 
Lee, who died April 21, 1921, and is also buried in Morris Chapel Ceme- 
tery. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 687 

Carl F. Morris grew to manhood on the old Morris homestead which 
is near his present place. He was educated in the public schools and 
has always followed farming and stock raising. His farm consists of 
1921/^ acres and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He 
is also extensively interested in poultry raising of which he is making 
a marked success. He specializes in Brown Leghorn chickens and at 
the present time he keeps from 500 to 1,000. 

Carl F. Morris was married April 26, 1905, to Miss Christiana Mur- 
ray, of Jefferson Township. They have one adopted son, Wilbur. 

Mr. Morris and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, 
and attend worship at Morris Chapel and Mr. Morris is a deacon and 
elder. Richard Morris, grandfather of Carl F. Morris, was the principal 
founder of Morris Chapel. 



Walter Murray, a progressive and well-known farmer and stock- 
man living in Jefferson Township, where he operates a farm of 140 
acres, is a native of Scotland. He was born in Glasgow, February 24, 
1873. He is a son of W. G. and Jeanette (Griffin) Murray, both natives 
of Scotland. 

In 1875, the Murray family came to the United States, when Walter 
Murray of this sketch was about two years old. They settled in Harri- 
son County on a fami near Martinsville. To W. G. and Jeanette Murray, 
were born the following children: Walter, the subject of this sketch; 
Lizzie, married William Ackerd, and they live at Hatfield, Missouri; 
Jessie, who is a school teacher in Kansas City, Missouri ; Alexander, lives 
at Albany, Missouri ; William, Jefferson Township ; Christiana, married 
Carl F. Morris, and they live in Jefferson Township ; Agnes, at home ; John, 
Jefferson Township; Andrew, Bethany, Missouri; Elexana, deceased, and 
is buried at Morris Chapel ; and Jeannie, married Berry Miles, and they 
live in White Oak Township. 

Walter Murray was educated in the schools of Harrison County 
and grew to manhood here. He engaged in farming for himself at an 
early age, and is now the owner of 140 acres of land in Jefferson Town- 
ship, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with 
success. 

Mr. Murray was married February 26, 1896, to Miss Zella DeMire. 
Her father was bom in Canada, and her mother is a native of Indiana. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Murray have been bom the following children: Eilene, 



688 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

married Charles Graybill, of Hamilton Township; Ernest, resides at home 
with his parents; Lorn, Lela, and Dorothy, all of whom are at home with 
their parents. 

Mr. Murray and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
The Murray family stand high in the community and Mr. Murray is one 
of the substantial citizens of Harrison County. 



James R. King, owner and proprietor of Cottage Hill Stock Farm, 
which is one of the fine places in Jefferson Township, is a native of Harri- 
son County. He was born here November G, 1862, and is a son of William 
and Marguerite (Taylor) King. 

William King was a native of Virginia. In 1850 he came West and 
first settled in Iowa. The following year, he came to Harrison County, 
Missouri and here spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1892, and 
his remains are buried in Oakland Cemetery. Marguerite Taylor came to 
Missouri, with her parents at an early day when she was a young girl. 
The Taylor family were among the very early settlers of Harrison County. 

To William and Marguerite (Taylor) King were born the following 
childi'en: Matilda, married James Bainter, and they live in Washington; 
Charlotte, married Andrew Dunkle, and they live in Washingtton; Chris- 
tina, died in childhood; James R., the subject of this sketch; Zana, lives 
in Washington, and John, lives in Alaska. 

James R. King was reared in this county and received his education 
in the rural schools. He has been familiar with farming and stock 
raising since early life and began farming for himself when a young 
man. His place. Cottage Hill Stock Farm, contains 240 acres and is well 
improved, and he is successfully carrying on farming and stock raising. 

Mr. King was married March 8, 1885, to Miss Margaret Bird, a 
native of Harrison County, and they are the parents of four children 
as follows : Sheridan, lives in Jefferson Township ; Zetta, married Jesse 
Birt, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Zelma, married John Kemp, of Jefferson 
Township; and William resides at home with his parents. 

Mr. King is a public spirited citizen and takes a commendable in- 
terest in local affairs and public institutions. He has served as school 
director for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He 
and his family are members of the Christian Church and are recognized 
as leading representative people of Harrison County. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 689 

John D. Linch, a well known and highly respected citizen, of Har- 
rison County, is a native of this county and a member of one of the 
very early pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born 
January 12, 1866, and reared and educated in this county, and has been 
identified with Harrison County all his life. 

On November 15, 1888, John D. Linch was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Updegraph, of Pella, Iowa, and to them were born the 
following children : Ralph H., born November 12, 1889 ; Cora Esther, bom 
November 15, 1891, married Joe E. Wheeler and lives in Bethany, Mis- 
souri; and Dick, born April 21, 1894, and lives in Bethany, Missouri. 

Dick Linch was reared and educated in Harrison County. He and 
his brother, Ralph Linch, now conduct one of the leading garages of 
Harrison County. They have a repair department and a storage capacity 
for about thirty cars and have an extensive patronage. 

Dick Linch was married May 4, 1916, to Miss Hazel M. Tilley, a 
native of Harrison County. She is a daughter of Frank Tilley, of this 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dick Linch has been born one child, Margery 
Linn, who was born August 2, 1919. 

The Linch family is one of the highly esteemed families of Harrison 
County and they are known for their integrity. 



G. E. Smith, a veteran of the World War, who is engaged in black- 
smithing at Martinsville, Missouri, is a native of this state. He was 
bom at Albany, Missouri, August 1, 1892, and is a son of G. W. G. and 
Zora (Edwards) Smith, both natives of Mispouri, born in Gentry County. 

To G. W. G. and Zora (Edwards) Smith, were born the following 
children: Bertha M., lives in Martinsville; G. E., the subject of this 
sketch; Ethel M., married John Van Meter, Frankfort, Indiana; Georgia, 
married Belden Wilson, Gentry, Missouri. 

When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Smith entered 
the army October 3, 1917, and was first sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, 
for training. Later he was transferred to Camp Hancock, Georgia, and 
thirty days later was sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey. He sailed from 
New York with his command for France, February 10, 1918, having 
embarked on a transport two days previously. He landed in France on 
February 26, 1918. He sei-ved in the Somme sector. After the amiis- 
tice was signed, he remained in France until June 9, 1919, when he sailed 
for America and landed at Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 19. After 
(39) 



690 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

landing in this country he was sent to Camp Mills, Long Island, and 
from there to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he received his honorable dis- 
charge, June 30, 1919. After a short visit in Indiana, he returned to 
Martinsville, Missouri, where he established himself in the blacksmith- 
ing business in which he has since been engaged. 

Mr. Smith was married December 23, 1920, to Miss Gertrude John- 
son, of Martinsville, Missouri. Her parents are natives of Virginia. 

Mr. Smith is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
has been identified with that order for eleven years. 



John H. Shai'p, a highly respected and prosperous citizen of Jeffer- 
son Township, is a native of Harrison County, and was born October 4, 
1874. He is the son of Eli and Miranda E. (Smith) Sharp, the former 
a native of Illinois and the latter of Iowa, and early settlers in Harrison 
County. 

John H. Sharp was reared in this county and in early manhood en- 
gaged in farming and stock raising for himself, and is now the owner of 
520 acres of land. This is one of the well improved and valuable farms 
of Jefferson Township. Mr. Sharp carries on general farming and stock 
raising and has met with well merited success, and is recognized as one of 
the capable farmers of the county. 

In December, 1895, John H. Sharp was mamed to Miss Ada J. Hefner, 
who is also a native of Harrison County. To Mr. and Mrs. (Hefner) 
Sharp have been born four children as follows: Roy, married Earl Brough, 
of Union Township; Virgil, who resides at home; further mention of 
whom is made in the following paragraph; Clayton, lives in Jefferson 
Township ; Charles, who resides at home. 

Virgil Sharp entered the United States Army in August, 1918. He 
was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, for training and after the Armistice 
was signed, he received his honorable discharge and returned to his 
home in Jefferson Tovimship, where he has since resided. 

Mr. Sharp takes an active interest in all movements, the object 
of which is for the betterment and upbuilding of his township and 
county. He has served as a member of the township board of trustees 
and has held the offices of school director and justice of the peace. 
He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and is a 
charter member of the Ridgeway Lodge of that order. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 691 

Jesse Van Hoozer, well known and successful farmer and stockman 
of Dallas Township, is a native of Harrison County. He was barn 
October 4, 1876 and is a son of Thomas J. and Nancy J. (Mount) Van 
Hoozer. 

The Van Hoozer family is one of the old pioneer families of this 
county. Thomas Van Hoozer was born in Dallas Township and spent 
his life here engaged in farming and stock raising. He died in 1888, at 
the age of forty-three years and his remains are buried in Grace Ceme- 
tery. Nancy J. (Mount) Van Hoozer is also a member of one of the 
prominent old pioneer families of Harrison County. They came from 
Virginia to Missouri at an early date and settled in this county. 

To Thomas J. and Nancy J. (Mount) Van Hoozer, were born seven 
children as follows: Jesse, the subjest of this sketch; Henton, ,who 
was born in 1878, and died November 11, 1920, and is buried in the 
Kidwell Cemetery; Lizzie, married John Storm, of Jefferson Township; 
Chris, lives on the old homestead in Dallas Township; Newton, lives in 
Dallas Township; Cecil, died in 1918, and his remains are buried in 
Merriam Cemetery; Mae, married John Ross, of Bethany. Township. 

Jesse Van Hoozer was reared to manhood in Dallas Township and 
educated in the public schools, and Palmer College, Albany, Missouri, 
where he was an honor student, winning the gold medal, in the oratorical 
contest in 1897. He is the owner of one of the valuable farms in Dallas 
Township and is successfully carying ion general fanning and stock 
raising and has owned and operated this place for the past eleven years. 
He has made many improvements since coming here and has one of 
the fine residences of Dallas Township and the other buildings and im- 
provements about the place are substantial and arranged for conveni- 
ence. 

Mr. Van Hoozer was married in 1903 to Miss Lora Stewart, a native 
of Gentry County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Hoozer have been 
bom three children as follows: Herman, who is seventeen years old and 
is a student in the Martinsville High School; Helen, age fifteen, is also 
a student in the Martinsville High School, and Eathylene, age thirteen 
years, is a student in the local schools. 

Mr. Van Hoozer takes a commendable interest in local affairs and 
for six years served as constable and collector of Dallas Township and 
has been a member of the school board for eleven years. He is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and one of the dependable citizens 
of Harrison County. 



692 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Judge W. C. Baldwin, who has been presiding judge of the county 
court of Harrison County for the part four years is one of the widely 
known and successful men of affairs of this county. He is a member 
of one of the prominent pioneer families of Dallas Township. He was 
born in this township, October 4, 1859 and is a son of E. T. and Margaret 
(Clark) Baldwin. 

E. T. Baldwin, was a native of Michigan, bom in that state, March 
24, 1837. He came to Missouri and settled in Harrison County in 1856. 
In 1858 he was married to Marguerite Clark, a native of Ohio, who went 
to Marion, Iowa with her parents at an early day and they later re- 
moved to Harrison County. After coming to Harrison County, E. T. 
Baldwin entered 160 acres of government land in section 21, just south 
of Martinsville in Dallas Township, and was here successfully engaged in 
farming and stock raising for many years. He served with the Union 
Army during the Civil War with the rank of lieutenant. He was very 
successful in his business undertakings and was one of the organizers 
of the Bank of Martinsville which was effected in 1897. He died in 1912, 
and his wife proceeded him in death a number of years, she having 
departed this life in 1878. Their remains are buried in Kidwell Ceme- 
tery. They were the parents of the following children: Judge W. C, 
the subject of this sketch; Edward, died in infancy; James died in in- 
fancy; Elmer, lives in Dallas Township; Lucille, who was a teacher in 
the Bethany schools for a number of years, and Hattie, who resides 
on the old home place in Dallas Township. 

Judge W. C. Baldwin was reared to manhood in Dallas Township and 
educated in the public schools of Martinsville and the Stanberry Nor- 
mal School, at Stanberry, Missouri. He is the owner of a valuable and 
well improved farm of 320 acres, where he carries on general farm- 
ing and stock raising. His farin is being operated by his son-in-law, 
Will Ross. 

Judge Baldwin, was married May 20, 1886, to Miss Hattie Robins and 
two children have been bom to them: Marie and Maggie, the latter of 
whom died in infancy and is buried in Kidwell Cemetery. 

Judge Baldwin is engaged in the general insurance business, re- 
presenting a number of the leading companies and is one of the success- 
ful insurance men of Harrison County. He has been presiding judge of 
the county court of Harrison County for two terms and has given to 
the public business the same careful and conscientious attention which 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 693 

he has alweys given to his own private affairs. He is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of which he is Past Grand and 
has held membership in that lodge for twenty years. He is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church of which he is an elder. Judge Baldwin has a 
wide acquaintance in Harrison County and is recognized as one of the 
representative and substantial citizens of this county and the Baldwin 
family are highly respected citizens of the community. 



John W. Frame, a well known farmer of Jefferson Township, was 
born in Guernsey County, Ohio, December 12, 1860. He is a son of 
James S. and Sarah (Sullivan) Frame, the former a native of Ohio 
and the latter of Virginia. They were married about 1850, and to them 
were born the following children: the first and second child born, died in 
infancy; Nellie, died at Big Spring, Texas and is buried there; John 
W., the subject of this sketch; Alice married Charley Larmore, and lives 
at Moline, Kansas. 

John W. Frame was reared to manhood and educated in his native 
state and in 1888, he came to Missouri and settled in Harrison County, 
and has devoted himself successfully to farming and stock raising since 
early manhood. He is the owner of a good farm, which is located in 
Section 10, Jefferson Township. His place is well improved and he has 
placed all the improvements here himself. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock I'aising. 

Mr. Frame was married in November, 1884, to Mary E. Statler, a 
native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and to them have been born the fol- 
lowing children: Lilhe, married Henry Kemp, lives in Jefferson Town-, 
ship; Robert, Jefferson Township; Ralph, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Mary, 
married Frank Hendren, Jefferson Township; J. M., lives in Harrison 
County, east of Bethany; William R., Jefferson Township; and James 
Floyd, resides at home with his parents. 

James Floyd Frame, served in the United States Army during the 
World War. He entered the service in 1917, and was sent to Camp Dodge, 
Iowa, for training. Later he was transferred to Fort Whipple Barracks, 
in Arizona, and was at that place when the Armistice was signed. At 
the close of hostilities he was honorably discharged and returned to his 
home in Harrison County. He was a member of Company C, 351 Infantry, 
88 Division. 



694 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Elvis Rice, a veteran of the World War, who is a progressive young 
farmer and stockman of Dallas Township is a native son of Harrison 
County. He was born April 24, 1898, and is a son of J. M. and Mary E. 
(Hendren) Rice, natives of Harrison County. They were the parents of 
the following children: Gladys, married Christ Van Hoozer, Dallas Town- 
ship; Elvis, the subject of this sketch; and Ruth M. 

Elvis W. Rice received his education in the public schools of Harrison 
County, and when the United States entered the World War, he enlisted 
in the United States Signal Corps, April 16, 1917. He was first sent to 
Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Missoui'i, and from there to Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas From there he was transfered to California, then 
to North Carolina, and from there to Fort Niagara. From there he was 
sent to New York, and served on the military police until the Armistice 
was signed. He was then sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and later to 
Camp Grant, Illinois, where he was honorably discharged January 15, 
1919. 

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Rice returned to Harrison 
County where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. 
He makes a speciality of raising pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs, which are 
eligable to resgistration. 

Mr. Rice was married November 25, 1919, to Miss Thankful Marrs, 
a daughter of Louis R. Marrs, a prominent farmer of Dallas Township. 

Mr. Rice is one of the young men of Harrison County, who is known 
for his industry and integrity, and is making good. 



John A. Cruzan, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock 
raising in Jefferson Township, is a native of Iowa. He was born at 
Brush Creek, Fayette County, Iowa, October 29, 1870, and is a son of 
W. H. and Ellen Mary Etta (Liggett) Cruzan. When John A. Cruzan 
was about two years of age his parents removed from Iowa to Missouri 
and located on a farm in Harrison County. The father was extensively 
engaged in stock raising until 1900, when he removed to Bethany, where 
he and his wife now reside. A more extensive history of the Cruzan 
family will be found in connection with the biographical sketch of W. 
H. Cruzan in this volume. 

John A. Cruzan was reared on the home farm in Harrison County 
and obtained a good public school education and in early life engaged in 
teaching and taught seven years in Harrison County and one year in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 695 

Kansas. He was recognized as a successful teacher and his services 
were always in demand. Reared on a farm, he has been familiar with 
the pursuit of farming and stock raising since early life. In 1905 he 
bought 123 acres of land in the eastern part of Jefferson Township. He 
has added to this from time to time as opportunities presented until he 
is now the owner of 400 acres of valuable land, where he carries on farm- 
ing and stock raising on an extensive and profitable scale. He raises 
Whitefaced and Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and is recog- 
nized as one of the successful stockmen of this section of the state. 
The Cruzan farm home is a nine room modern house. 

Mr. Cruzan was married July 8, 1895, to Clara May Webb, of Har- 
rison County. She is a daughter of Edward B. and Libbie Webb, both 
natives of Missouri. Two children were born to Mr .and Mrs. Cruzan, 
and both died in infancy. 

Mr. Cruzan is one of the successful men of affairs of Jefferson Town- 
ship and Harrison County and is a public spirited and progressive man. 



C. J. Ziinmerlee, a progressive and enterprising citizen, who con- 
ducts a leading resturant and modern european hotel at Bethany Mis- 
souri, is a native of Harrison County and a descendant of early settlers 
here. Mr. Zimmerlee was born September 2, 1874, and is a son of 
William J. and Evelyn (Higgins) Zimmerlee. 

William Zimmerlee, the father of C. J. Zimmerlee, was a native 
of Indiana and an early settler in Harrison County. Evelyn (Higgins) 
Zimmerlee, was bom in Daviess County, Missouri. 

To William and Evelyn (Higgins) Zimmerlee were born the follow- 
ing childern: John), who lives in Harrison County, Missouri; Jessie, 
married Ed. Nowland, of Harrison County, Missouri; C. J., the subject of 
this sketch ; Fred, who lives in Harrison County, and Bettie, who married 
Frank Roberts. 

C. J. Zimmerlee has been engaged in the restaurant business in Beth- 
any, for the past ten years and has always conducted a fil-st class 
place. His resturant is now located on the east side of the square and 
is as well conducted and well regulated as any similiar business enter- 
prise to be found anywhere in the country. The excellence of the food 
served and the manner in which it is served at the Zimmerlee Cafe, is 
well known and greatly appreciated to the many patrons of this popular 
and well patronized place. Mr. Zimmerlee also has in connection with 



696 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

his cafe on the second floor of the building and an adjacent one a 
number of modern and splendidly furnished rooms. Each room is sup- 
plied with hot and cold running water and everything is kept in first 
class condition. 

Mr. Zimmerlee was united in marriage in 1899 with Miss Jennie 
Hogan, of Harrison County and to them has been bom one son, Claude 
J. who operates The Elite Theatre which is the only picture show in 
Bethany. He was married September 26, 1921 to Miss Lee Smith, of 
Bethany, daughter of Lew Smith, a sketch of whom appears in this 
volume. 

Mr. Zimmerlee is public spirited and stands for the best interests 
of Bethany and Harrison County. 



W. R. Thompson, a leading citizen of Dallas Township, where he is 
the owner of a 330 acre farm, was born in Virginia, July 1, 1868, a 
son of John D. and Cecelia (McLaughlin) Thompson, both natives of 
Virginia. 

John D. Thompson went West a number of years ago and located in 
Oregon, where he now resides at the age of seventy-five years. His 
wife died in that state in 1917 at the age of seventy years. 

To John D. Thompson and wife were born the following children : 
Martha and Dema, twins, live in Virginia; W. R., the subject of this 
sketch; George, lives in Washington; Mrs. John Wesley, deceased; Mrs. 
Susie Knighton, lives in Washington; Frank, died in 1918; Ida, married 
Alfred Green, Keystone, Wegt Virginia; Joe, Holley, Oregon; Mary.', 
married Harry Knighton, and they live in Washington; William, Wash- 
ington. 

Mr. Thompson is the owner of one of the fine farms in Dallas Town- 
ship. His place is well improved and he has placed all the improvements 
on the fami himself except the residence. He is quite extensively en- 
gaged in stock raising and give special attention to raising pure bred 
Hereford cattle and has some of the finest registered cattle of this breed 
to be found in the country. 

Mr. Thompson was married September 6, 1898, to Miss Flora Bald- 
win, a native of Harrison County and a member of one of the old and 
honored pioneer families of this section of the state. 

Mr. Thompson has always taken an active part in local affairs and 
at present holds the office of justice of the peace. He has been a stock 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 697 

holder in the Bank of Martinsville, and is a member of the board of 
directors. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is one of 
the substantial citizens of Harrison County and he and Mrs. Thompson 
are widely and favorably known. 



L. A. York, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Dallas Town- 
ship, is a member of one of the very early pioneer families of Harrison 
County. He was born on the place where he now lives January 31, 1881, 
and is a son of John W. and Jane (Williams) York. 

John W. York, was a native of Harrison County, and was married 
to Jane William in 1878, and to them were born the following children: 
Annetta, married H. B. Wells, of St. Joseph, Missouri; L. A., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Emmett H., New Hampton, Missouri; one died in 
infancy; Edna G., married Leonard Zerbe, and is now deceased; Hattie 
E., married Claude Brady, of Reading, Iowa; James, New Hampton, and 
two other who died in infancy. 

L. A. York, was reared on the home farm in Dallas Township and 
educated in the district school. He attended the same school of which 
he has since served as clerk and director. Mr. York engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raising, in early life and has met with marked success in 
this field of endeavor. He owns a fine farm of 340 acres in Dallas Town- 
ship, which is known as the Highland Alfhafa Stock Farm. The place 
is well improved and the farm residence has been remodled in recent 
years. It is one of the historic old residences of Harrison County, the 
lumber of which it is built having been hauled from Princeton, Mis- 
souri, by teams. A part of what is now Mr. Yorks farm was entered 
from the government by J. H. Brown, in 1856, who sold the place to 
Asbury York, granfather of L. A. York. Asbury York was born October 
1, 1832, and his wife Rachel A. York, was bom May 31, 1836, and died 
March 23, 1912. He died February 14, 1902. 

L. A. York was married to Miss Jessie Stevenson of Gentry County, 
Missouri, and to their union has been born the following children: Wil- 
liam T., who resides at home with his parents; Opal G., a student in 
the State Teachers College, at Maryville, Missouri; Francis A., a stu- 
dent in the New Hampton High School; John A., a student in High 
School; James H., Harold A., and Agnes A., William T. York, enlisted 



698 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

in the United States Navy during the World War, and served fourteen 
months and is still a member of the Naval Reserve. 

Mr. York has been a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge since 
1902. He was one of the original stock holder of the Bank of Martins- 
ville and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of this 
county. 



W. R. Clelland, part owner and proprietor of Idle Wild Stock Farm, 
is a native of Harrison County and belongs to one of the prominent 
pioneer families of northern Missouri. Mr. Clelland was born in Febru- 
ary, 1879, and is a son of William and Martha (Carter) Clelland. The 
mother was a native of Gentry County, and her parents were very early 
settlers in this section. 

William Clelland was bom in Lanarkshire, Soctland, in 1838, and 
died in Harrison County, in 1890. His brother James Clelland was also 
born in Lanarkshire Scotland in 1836, and now lives in Dallas Town- 
ship. He came to Harrison County in 1868, and was instrumental in 
organizing Willow Row Church, which is located just over the line in 
Gentry County. James Clelland, has contributed generously to the sup- 
port and maintainance of Missouri Wesleyan College. His subscription 
being equal to the endowment subscription of W. A. Rankin. He is 
a Methodist and takes an active part in church work. 

William Clelland and Martha Carter, were married December 30, 
1873 and the following children were born to them: Peter, died at an 
early age, Mary also died young; W. R., the subject of this sketch; Miss 
Mattie A., is at home on Idle Wild Farm ; Frank W., who is now in Boston, 
taking a post graduate course in Bible philosophy. 

W. R. Clelland attended the public schools of Harrison County, and 
also attended school at the Northwest Missouri College, at Albany, which 
is now known as Palmer College, for one and one-half years, and then 
took a three year course at the Missouri Wesleyan College, Cameron, Mis- 
souri. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising since early 
manhood and is one of the successful men of affairs of Harrison County 
He is the owner of a well improved farm of 300 acres, where he carries 
on general farming and stock raising. For the past two years he has 
been a director for the Farmers Grain Produce and Mercantile Com- 
pany of New Hampton. He is a director in the New Hampton Lumber 
Company; and since 1915 he has been president of the Bank of Martins- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 699 

ville, and has been closely associated with that institution as its chief 
executor officer. 

Mr. Clelland is a member of the Methodist Church and is a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of Missouri Wesleyan College of Cameron, 
Missouri, and takes an active part in the work of his church and holds 
membership in the Willow Row Church. He takes a commendable in- 
terest in local affairs. He is progressive and enterprising and one of 
the highly esteemed citizens of Harrison County. 



John L. Linvili, a leading farmer and stockman of Jefferson Town- 
ship, is a native of Missouri. He was born March 21, 1869, and is a 
son of John and Elizabeth J. (England) Linvili. 

John Linvili was born in Indiana and came to Missouri in an early 
day, and first settled in Butler Township, Harrison County. A few years 
later, he went to Buchanann County, but returned to Harrison County, in 
1872, and spent the remainder of his life here. He was bom Feb- 
ruary 21, 1829, and died May 20, 1906. His wife, who is a native of 
Tennessee, came to Harrison County with her parents when she was 
nine years old. 

John Linvili, and Elizebeth J. (England) were married June 1, 1854, 
and to them were born eighteen children as follows: Cecelia, married 
George Powers, of Harrison County; Polly, married W. P. Nance, Okla- 
homa; Eliza, married L. D. Thompson, of Harrison County, and they 
later moved to North Dakota; L. J., a farmer; G. D., and James P., 
twins, G. D., died in Oklahoma, in 1900, and James P., now lives in that 
state; Ellen, married West Coleman, New Hampton, Missouri; Nancy 
Jane, died in 1895, and is buried at Bethany; John L., the subject of this 
sketch; W. B., Jefferson Township; Cordelia, died in 1893, and is buried 
at Bethany; Mary C, married Elmer Mitchell, and died February 15, 
1904, and is buried in Bethany Cemetery; W. C, Atchison, Kansas, and 
Myrtle, married Sam King, Bethany, Missouri. 

John L. Linvili was reared and educated in Harrison County, and 
in early life he engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with 
success. He owns a well improved farm of 240 acres, which is located 
near the Globe School, in Jefferson Township. Mr. Linvili carries on 
general farming and stock raising. Mrs. Linvili is one of the most 
successful gardners in Harrison County and takes an especial pride in 



700 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

that work. She frequently exhibits some of the products from her 
garden and has won a number of premiums at local fairs. 

Mr. Linvill was married April 8, 1906, to Miss Betha Williams and 
to them have been born three children: Leo, George H., and Allen W., 
all of who reside on the home place with their parents. 

Mr. Linvill has served as township collector and has been school 
director of his district. The family belong to the Christian Church, and 
rank among the representative families of Harrison County. 



Marlin W. Mock, a substantial farmer and stockman is a veteran 
of the World War. He was born in Harrison County, November 10, 1895, 
a son of J. R. and Leonta (Matthews) Mock, both natives of Harrison 
County. 

Marline W. Mock was reared in Dallas Township, Harrison County, 
and educated in the public schools. He was following farming and stock 
raising in Dallas Township, when the United States entered the World 
War. On May 10, 1918, he entered the United States Army and was first 
sent to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Missouri. From there he was 
sent to Waco, Texas, where he remained in training until July 29, 1918, 
when he was transfered to Camp Merritt. On August 3, 1918, he sailed 
for overseas, having embarked on the steamship Manchuria. After hav- 
ing proceeded to sea, the Manchuria was disabled and returned to port, 
and the troops were transfered to the steamship France and proceeded to 
a French port. After having reached France, Mr. Mocks saw much active 
service in some of the hardest fighting of the war, including the Mouse- 
Argonne Campaign. He was on the firing line practically all of the time 
from October 1st until November 11th, when the Armistice was signed. 
He then remained on the front with his command until January 1st, and 
remained in France until the latter part of the following May, when he 
was returned to the United States, reaching New York, June 2, 1919. 
After his discharge from the army he returned to Harrison County and 
engaged in farming in Dallas Township. He is engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock raising and operates a 200 acres farm. 

Mr. Mock was married July 28, 1917, to Miss Bernice Funk, a daugh- 
ter of S. T. Funk of New Hampton, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Mock were 
born one child, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Mock is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Knights of 
Pythias and Mrs. Mock belongs to the Christian Church. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 701 

Charles O. Carter, a prominent and progressive citizen of Dallas 
Township, who is successful in farming and stock raising is a member 
of a prominent pioneer family of this section of the state. He was born 
in November, 1876, and is a son of W. G. and Martha J. (Wilson) 
Carter. 

W. G. Carter was a native of Gentry County and his wife belonged 
to a very early pioneer family of Harrison County. They were mar- 
ried in 1865 and the following children were born to them: L. P., lives 
at Ames, Iowa; A. H., White Oak Township, Harrison County; N. A., New 
Hampton, Missouri; Charles 0., the subject of this sketch; J. R., Wash- 
ington Township; and S. F., Dallas Township. 

Charles O. Carter was reared on a farm in Dallas Township, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools. He has been engaged in farming 
and stock raising since early life and has met with success and is the 
owner of a well improved place of 160 acres. He has owned this place for 
the past twenty-three years and has placed all the improvements on it 
himself. He carries on general farming and stock raising and makes 
a speciality of breding Spotted Poland China hogs. 

Mr. Carter was first married in 1898, to Miss Rebecca Adair, who is 
now deceased and to that union were born the following children: Clar- 
ance, who died in 1909 and is buried by the side of his mother in Kid- 
well Cemetery ; Marie, Cora, and Jessie, residing at home. In 1908, Mr. 
Carter was married to Miss Myrtle Van Hoozer, and two children were born 
to this union: Wayne and Ruth. 

Mr. Carter is a member of the Methodist Church, having held mem- 
bership of that church for the past twenty years. He is one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Harrison County. 



Edgar Hunt, a prominent farmer and stockman of Union Township 
is a veteran of the Spanish American War. He was born in Harrison 
County, June 14, 1875, a son of Eugene P. and Nancy J. (Darnell) Hunt. 

Eugene P. Hunt was a pioneer settler in Harrison County. He came 
here in 1853, and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union 
Army, becoming a member of Company H, 12th Missouri Calvary. After 
the war closed he remained in the Army and served on an expedition 
against hostile Indians in the West. He received his honorable discharge 
from the army in 1866, and returned to Harrison County. His wife was 
a native of Illinois and came to Missouri with her parents at an early 



702 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

day. To Eugene P. Hunt and wife were born the following children: 
Ada, married F. O. Peaseley, New Hampton, Missouri ; Leonard, Brooklyn, 
Missouri ; Edgar, the subject of this sketch and Harvey, who lives in Union 
Township. 

Edgar Hunt was educated in the district school and in early life en- 
gaged in telegi'aph work for seventeen years. During the Spanish Amer- 
ican War, he served in the United States Army. He left St. Joseph with 
his command April 27, 1898 and served until the close of the war when he 
was mustered out of service, February 10, 1899. Mr. Hunt is the owner of 
a well improved and valuable farm which is located in section 29, Union 
Township. His place consists of 275 acres and is one of the valuable farms 
of that section. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is 
recognized as one of the successful men of Harrison County. 

Mr. Hunt was married September 3, 1899, to Miss Maude M. Long, a 
member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Harrison County. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born three children, one of whom is living, 
Claude, who resides at home with his parents. 

Mr. Hunt has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
Lodge for the past ten years. He is one of the substantial citizens of 
Hari'ison County and the Hunt family is highly respected. 



Wren Smith, a veteran of the World War, residing at Bethany, was 
born June 3, 1891, the son of E. T. and Martha (Parker) Smith. 

E. T. Smith settled in Harrison County in 1865 and located on a farm 
east of Bethany, where he now resides. The Parker family came to Mis- 
souri in 1855, Martha (Parker) Smith's father was a native of Kentucky 
and her mother of North Carolina. 

To E. T. and Martha (Parker) Smith were born the following chil- 
dren : Myrtle, married J. M. Bartlett, of Ridgeway, Missouri ; Catharine, 
married John W. Griffin, of Harrison County and Charles E., lives in Beth- 
any Township; Harry, Bethany Township, and Wren, the subject of this 
sketch. Wren Smith was reared in Harrison County and received his 
education in the public schools. He became a member of the National 
Guard of Missouri in 1914, and was a member of that organization, in 1916, 
during the trouble on the Mexican Border, and served there with the Na- 
tional Guards. When the United States entered the World War, he was 
again called out with his regiment which was moblized at Nevada, Mis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 703 

souri. From there they were transferee! to Camp Donaphon, Oklahoma, 
and in March 1918, to Camp Mills, New York, and on April 18, embarked 
for overseas, landing at Liverpool, England, May 2nd. From there they 
went to Southhampton, England and thence across the English Channel to 
La Harve, France. From there they were sent to Northeast, France, where 
they remained for a short time in training and then transfered to the 
Front. Mr. Smith was commissioned first lieutenant, October 1, 1918, 
and assigned to the 42nd Division, and was with that division during the 
heavy fighting of the latter part of the war and took part in the Battle of 
Argonne-Forest, and the offensive fighting up to the time of the signing 
of the Armistice. During the battle on October 18th, and 19th, all the 
officers of his company were wounded, except him, which left him in 
command of his company. When the Armistice was signed his division 
occupied a position farther north than any of the other troops of the 
Allies. After the signing of the Armistice, his division advanced into 
Germany as a part of the Army of Occupation and he reached Coblenz 
on the Rhine, December 5, 1918, and remained there until April 1, 1919 
and then returned to Breast, France, where on April 13, 1919, he embarked 
on the steamship Levithin, and landed at New York April 18, 1919. He 
then went to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, where he was discharged on 
May 29, 1919, and returned to Bethany, Missouri, where he has since 
resided. 



George H. Chamberlin, a well known and highly respected citizen of 
Union Township, who owns and operates a large farm is a native of Ohio. 
He was born in 1852, a son of George, Sr. and Sarah (Murphy) Cham- 
berlin. 

George Chamberlin was a native of Ohio and his wife was born in 
Kentucky. They were married in Ohio and came to Missouri and settled in 
Harrison County in 1857. When the Civil War broke out George Cham- 
berlin, Sr. enlisted in the Union Army and after the war was over and 
he received his honorable discharge, he returned to Harrison County where 
he died February 27, 1888. To George and Sarah (Murphy) Chamberlin 
were born the following children: William L., deceased; George H., the 
subject of this sketch ; and John R., Kingfisher, Oklahoma. 

George H. Chamberlin was married in June 1875 and to this union 
two children were born : George C, bom October 6, 1876, and was killed by 



704 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a railway train, at Des Moines, Iowa, May 14, 1918; and Ottie, born July 
13, 1881, and lives in Union Township. 

George H. Chamberlin, was educated in the district schools of Harrison 
County and has followed farming and stock raising all his life. His farm 
is well improved and he carries on general farming and stock raising and 
has been very successful. His place is unusually well watered. A spring 
on this place was well known to the early pioneers and even to the Indians 
befoi-e them. While passing through this section of the country Indians 
frequently camped here where they could obtain their water from this 
spring. 

Mr. Chamberlin takes an active and commendable interest in local af- 
fairs and has held various township offices at different times. He is enter- 
prising and public spirited and one of Harrison Couney's dependable citi- 
zens. 



B. F. Smith, a substantial and highly respected farmer and stock- 
man of Union Township, was born November 8, 1877, a son of Abraham 
and Lucinda (Horner) Smith. 

Abraham Smith was born in England in 1841, and in early life 
came to America and located in Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, 
he served in the Union Ai-my for three years. Shortly after the close 
of the Civil War, he was married to Lucinda Horner, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and to them were born three children as follows: B. F., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Emma E., died in 1901, and one died in infancy. 
After the death of his first wife Abraham Smith was again married 
and to that union were bom the following children: Louis H., who 
lives in Washington Township; Mollie. married Aaron Wesley, and they 
live in Washington Township; Irvin, lives in Washington Township; Ada, 
married Clelland Mock, Dallas Township; Clara, married Elmer Stanton, 
Dallas Township and Herman, lives on the home place. 

B. F. Smith was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools 
and has made farming and stockraising the chief occupation of his life. 
He owns a well improved farm of eight acres with a good residence 
and other suitable farm building. He carries on general farming and 
stock raising and keeps a good grade of cattle and is meeting with 
success. 

Mr. Smith was married in 1888 to Miss Cora Bain and three chil- 
dren have been bom to this union as follow: George R., lives in Union 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 705 

Township; Pearl, married Will Eckerson, of New Hampton, Missouri 
and Lea E., lives in Union Township. 

Mr. Smith is an enterprising citizen and the Smith family is highly 
respected in Harrison County. 



George M. Davis, a World War veteran of Jefferson Township, is a 
native of Missouri. He was born at New Hampton, December 25, 1895, 
a son of James W. and Elenor R. (Lyons) Davis, the former a native of 
HaiTison County, Missouri, and the latter of Indiana. They were married 
in 1884 and the following children were born to them : Mertie, died at the 
age of four years ; Julie J., married Jesse Bunkin, and they live in Harri- 
son County; Nellie L., married C. Burris, Cypress Township; George M., 
the subject of this sketch; Effie, died at the age of two years; and Sarah 
E., lives in New Hampton. 

George M. Davis was reared in Jefferson Township, and educated in the 
public schools. When the United States entered the World War, he en- 
listed May 29, 1917, in Company G, 4th Missouri Infantry, which became 
the 139th Infantry of the 35th Division. They were mobilized at Nevada, 
Missouri and sent from there to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, and after a 
priod of training there, they were transferred to Camp Mills, New York, 
and sailed for overseas April 21, 1918, landing in Liverpool, England, May 
8, 1918. 

Mr. Davis participated in all the heavy fighting in which his division 
was engaged, including the Battle of Argonne-Forest. He was gassed in 
this battle and after being in the hospital only forty-eight hours, returned 
to duty. On April 13, 1919, he sailed from France, and landed at Newport 
News, Virginia, April 24, 1919. He was discharged at Camp Funston, 
Kansas, May 8, 1919, and returned to his home in Harrison County. For 
a time he was employed by Swift and Company, at St. Joseph, Missouri, 
but now resides at home in Jefferson Township. He is an enterprising 
young man and well and favorably known. 



Clyde L. Riggs, a veteran of the World War who is now engaged in 
the bakery business in Bethany, is a native of Han-ison County. He was 
born August 2, 1895, a son of Jesse and Mary J. (Bender) Riggs. Jesse 
Riggs came from Iowa, to Harrison County, Missouri in an early day 
and Mary J. (Bender) Riggs, was born and reared in this county. Her 
parents were early settlers here. 
(40) 



706 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Clyde L. Riggs was the only child bom to his parent. He was reared 
and educated in Harrison County. He was married August 9, 1917, to 
Miss Loah M. Manning, of Buchanan County, Missouri. 

When the United Sates entered the World War, Clyde L. Riggs en- 
tered the United States Army and was sent to Camp Funston for train- 
ing. He became a member of Company A., 356 Infantry, and was pro- 
moted to the rank of Sergeant. From Camp Funston, he was sent to 
Camp Mills, and on July 5, 1918, sailed from New York and landed at 
Liverpool, July 17, 1918. From there he went to Southhampton, England 
and sailed for France. He was with his command in various parts of 
France. During the course of his service he was transfered from A. Com- 
pany, 356 Infantry, to Bakei-y Company, 316, Q. M. C, with the rank of 
quartermaster-sergeant. He embarked for America, July 11, 1919 and 
landed at Newport News, Virginia, July 22, 1919. From there he went 
to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he received his honorable discharge 
July 29, 1919. After his discharge from the army, Mr. Riggs went to St. 
Joseph, Missouri, where he remained until 1921, when he came to Bethany, 
and engaged in the bakery business. The excellency of the product of 
his bakery was readily recognized and he has enjoyed a good business from 
the start. 

He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and is one of the progressive 
and enterprising business )nen of the younger generation of Harrison 
County. 



Stanley Rucker, a veteran of the World War, from Union Township, is 
a native son of this county and was born May 15, 1890. He is a son of 
James and Mary (Blaylock) Rucker, the former a native of Indiana and 
the latter of Ohio. 

Stanley Rucker was reared and educated in Union Township and was 
engaged in farming when the United States entered the World War. He 
entered the United States Army, April 26, 1917. He was sent to Camp 
Funston, for training and from there to Camp Mills, New York. He sailed 
for overseas June 4, 1917 and on June 16th, he landed at Liverpool, Eng- 
land. He sailed from Southhampton, England, to La Harve, France. 
He was a member of B Company, 356th Infantry, 1st Battillion of the 
famous 89th Division. Mr. Rucker was with his command, in all the 
sever fighting in which it participated including the Battle of Argonne- 
Forest and along the Meuse River. He experienced all the hardships 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 707 

and vicissitudes which fell to the lot of the soldier of the World War, 
and during his fourteen months of active service, he was never away 
from his company when it was in line of duty. After the close of the 
war he was returned to the United States and received his honorable 
discharge. He then returned to his home in Union Township where 
he has since been engaged in farming. He is an enterprising young 
man and the Rucker family stand high in HaiTison County. 



Clifford Chandler, a veteran of the World War, now residing in Union 
Township is a native of Harrison County. He was born March 9, 1896, 
and is a son of Charles H. and Smantha E. (Reynolds) Chandler. 

Charles H. Chandler was born in Ohio and at an early day removed 
to Warren County, Iowa, with his parents. This was about 1854. When 
the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company H, 34th Regiment, 
Iowa Infantry, at Burlington, Iowa. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, 
Mississippi, with his regiment and took part in a great many import- 
ant engagements of the Civil War, as well as numerous skirmishes. He 
was confined in a hospital at Morgans Bend for three months and was 
then given a furlough, April 25, 1865, and after remaining home for a 
few days went to Davenport, Iowa, where he was mustered out of the 
service and honorably discharged, in August, 1865. He then returned 
home and engaged in farming and stock raising, which has been his life's 
occupation. 

Charles H. Chandler was married to Smantha Reynolds, December 19, 
1886, and to this union four children have been born as follows: Vernon 
M., born November 18, 1887, lives in Union Township; M. G., born June 
6, 1889, hves in Union Township; August S., born October 15, 1891, 
lives in Union Township, and Clifford B., bom March 9, 1896, also live in 
Union Township. 

Clifford D. Chandler was reared in Union Township and educated in 
the public schools. When the United States entered the World War, he 
entered the United States Army at Bethany, Missouri, July 24, 1918. 
He was sent to Camp Funston for training, and became a member of 
Company E, 210 Engineers, 10th Division. He left Camp Funston, with 
his command and was sent to Camp Mills, New York, reaching there 
November 7, 1918, and was there when the armistice was signed, and 
remained there until January 7, 1919. He was then sent to Camp Hum- 



708 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

phries, where he remained until May 25, 1919, when he was transferee! to 
Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he was honorably discharged and mustered 
out of the service. 

After being discharged from the army Clifford Chandler returned to 
his home in Union Township where he has since been engaged in farming. 



Frank Fancher, a veteran of the World War and a representative 
young man of Bethany, Missouri, is a native of this county. He was born 
October 7, 1888, and is a son of W. S. and Sallie (Nowland) Fancher. 

W. S. Fancher and his wife were both born in Missouri. They are 
the parents of the following children: Bert, Union Township; Jessie, 
married Rupert Buks, Jamesport, Missouri; Cora, married William Eaton, 
Grant Township; Frank, the subject of this sketch; Harry, lives in Beth- 
any; Max, who is engaged in the grocery business at Brooklyn; and Roy, 
who is employed in a shipyard near San Francisco, California. 

Frank Fancher was reared in Harrison County and educated in the 
public schools and after the United States entered the World War, he was 
chosen for service under the selective draft and entered the army July 
25, 1918. He was sent to Camp Pike, Arkansas, where he was in train- 
ing for a period of six months, when he was transferred to Camp Dodge, 
Iowa, where, after the armistice was signed, he received his honorable 
discharge. 

After being discharged from the army, Mr. Fancher returned to Har- 
rison County where he resumed his former occupation of farming and 
stock raising. He is a dependable young man and is making good. 



Otto Vernon McNelly, who served in the United States Navy dur- 
ing the World War, is a native of Harrison County. He was born June 
8, 1894, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth J. (Denton) McNelly. 

Benjamin F. McNelly was born in Harrison County, Missouri, in 
1859. He was engaged in farming and stock raising in Union Town- 
ship about all his life and died in March, 1919, and his remains are 
buried in Hobbs Cemetery. Elizabeth J. (Denton) McNelly was also 
born in Harrison County, Missouri and reared and educated here. She 
now resides on the home place in Union Township. 

To Benjamin F. and Elizabeth J. (Denton) McNelly, were born 
the following children: Otto V., the subject of this sketch; Esther B., 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 709 

who resides at home with her mother; CHiTord D., resides at home and 
Cordia R., also resides at home. 

Otto V. McNelly was reared on the home farm and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools. When the United States entered the World 
War he enlisted in the United States navy and went to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri. From there he was sent to the Great Lakes Training Station in 
Illinois. From there he was sent to Hampton Roads, Virginia, and as- 
signed to the battleship Maine. He served for eleven months on that 
battleship, when he was transferred to duty in the navy yards at Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, and on August 16, 1919, he was returned to St. 
Louis, where he was relieved from active service although he is still a 
member of the naval reserves, his term of enhstment expiring in May, 
1922. Since being relieved from the navy, he has been assisting his mother 
on the home farm in Union Township. 

Mr. McNelly is one of the dependable young men of Harrison County 
and the McNelly family are representative of the best citizenship of this 
county. 



John W. Booher, a well known and progressive farmer and stockman 
of Union Township is a native of Missouri. He was born August 4, 1860, 
a son of William J. and Lucinda (Asher) Booher, the former a native of 
Virginia and the latter of Indiana. 

When the Booher family first came west, they settled in Iowa and 
from there came to Harrison County, Missouri. William J. and Lucinda 
(Asher) Booher were the parents of the following children : Martha, died 
in 1899; Marguerite P., died in 1891; Isaac M., lives in Iowa; Emily J., 
died in 1896, and John W., the subject of this sketch. 

John W. Booher was educated in the public schools and has made 
farming and stock raising his life occupation. He now owns and operates 
a farm of 180 acres, carrying on general farming and stock raising. 

Mr. Booher was married in 1887 to Miss Viola J. Parris, a native of 
Taylor County, Iowa, and the following children have been born to them: 
George W., lives in Iowa; Carrie L., married John Rucker, Union Town- 
ship; Guy, deceased; Paul H., lives in Iowa; Viola B., married Verne 
Chandler, Union Township; Bud, lives in Washington; James E., lives in 
Harrison County, and John B. also lives in Harrison County; Madge, 
Bethany, Missouri; Mary C, lives at home; Christy, deceased; Virgil, at 
home; Charles, died in infancy; and one other who died in infancy. 



710 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

George W. Booher served in the United States army during the World 
War. He was first sent to Camp Funston and after thirty days' train- 
ing, transferred to Camp Pike and was in the service twenty months and 
received his honorable discharge at Camp Pike. 

Paul H. Booher enlisted in the United States navy and was sent to 
the Great Lakes and served on the United States patrol. After the close 
of the war he was discharged and returned to Union Township. 

Mr. Booher takes a commendable interest in local affairs and has 
served as a member of the local school board. He is a dependable citizen 
and stands high in the community. 



D. A. Hubbard, veteran of the World War and one of the well and 
favorable known young men of Harrison County, was born in this county 
April 21, 1894. He is a son of L. S. and Mary E. (Roach) Hubbard. 

L. S. Hubbard who is now the capable constable of Marion Township 
is a native of Missouri and has spent his entire life in this county. He 
served as constable at Union Township for eight years and then removed 
to Marion Towmship and was elected constable of that township in 1906, 
serving one term at that time. In 1912, he was again elected to that 
office and since that time he has been elected each consecutive term and 
still holds that oflSce. He has fulfilled the duties of his office efficiently 
and has won a wide reputation as a capable officer. 

Mary E. (Roach) Hubbard is also a native of Missouri and her par- 
ents were early pioneer settlers of Iowa. However, they later removed 
to Missouri and spent the latter part of their lives in this state. To L. 
S. and Mary E. (Roach) Hubbard have been born the following children: 
Rosa, died in 1902, and is buried in Atchison County, Missouri ; Elva, mar- 
ried James Hale and they live in Hamilton Township, Harrison County ; 
Annie, married William Bensyl, Hamilton Township; Hattie, married Ben 
Lacy, Eagleville, Missouri ; D. A., the subject of this sketch ; Pearl, mar- 
ried Lloyd Hewitt, Eagleville, Missouri ; and Goldie, married Ralph Camp- 
bell, Eagleville, Missouri. 

D. A. Hubbard was educated in the public schools and when the 
United States entered the World War, he entered the United States army, 
October 2, 1917, and was sent to Camp Funston. Kansas, where he re- 
mained in training until February 10, 1918. He was then transferred to 
Washington, D. C, and about four weeks later sailed for overseas, landing 
at Brest, France. He was at the front for about five months, during 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 711 

which time he served with the engineers. He remained in the army for 
about seven months after the armistice was signed, when he was re- 
turned to the United States and received his honorable discharge and 
came home. 

D. A. Hubbard was married June 23, 1917, to Miss Pierce of Eagle- 
ville, and to them have been born two children : John, who is three years 
of age and Harriet, who is one year old. 



W. S. McCollum, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and 
insurance business at Eagleville, was bom in Tennessee, January 24, 1850, 
a son of Alexander and Susanna (Maltsbarger) McCollum, both natives of 
Green County, Tennessee. 

Alexander McCollum came to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1852, 
and entered 160 acres of government land, six miles north of Bethany, 
and spent the remainder of his life on that place. He took a prominent 
part in the early life of Harrison County and served as county surveyor for 
a number of years. He was married in Tennessee in 1846 to Susanna 
Maltsbarger and the following children were born to them: John, Beth- 
any, Missouri; David A., died in 1914, and is buried in Harolds' Cemetery; 
W. S., the subject of this sketch ; Michael, Huston, Texas ; Martha J., Beth- 
any, Missouri; Rachel, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Phillip, who lives on 
Kinghill Avenue, St. Joseph, Missouri; Mary, died at the age of three 
years; Susanna B., died at the age of eighteen years and Sarah, died at 
the age of thirteen years. By a former marriage, Alexander McCollum 
was the father of the following children: Isaac B., who came to Har- 
rison County, and was killed here during the Civil War; James, who also 
came to Harrison County and died at the age of fifty years and one died 
in infancy at the time of the mother's death. 

W. S. McCollum was reared in Harrison County and educated in 
the public schools. He attended the McCollum District School and re- 
ceived an excellent mathematical training under the private instruction 
of his father, who was an exceptionally good mathematician. Mr. Mc- 
Collum taught school for a number of years in early life in Harrison 
County and he was then engaged in the banking business in Eagleville 
for some time, but for the past several years he has conducted a real 
estate, loan and insurance business. During the course of his business 
career he has loaned large amounts of money for eastern concerns in this 
section. 



712 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

W. S. McCollum was married in 1881 to Miss Lewella K. Hoylman, a 
native of West Virginia, bom near White Sulphur Springs. To Mr. and 
Mrs. McCollum have been born the following children: Susanna, Edith, 
Blanche, Matile, Laui-a, Glade, Lewella, Allegra and William Alexander. 

Mr. McCollum is a Royal Arch Mason and he and Mrs. McCollum 
belong to the Methodist Church South. He is one of the substantial 
citizens of Harrison County. 



I. A. German, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Union Township, 
was bom in Iowa in 1876. He is a son of William and Lavina (Much- 
grove) German, both natives of Ohio who came to Harrison County, Mis- 
souri in 1893 and they spent the remainder of their lives here. They 
were the parents of the following children: Edward, died at the age of 
eighteen years; William A., Des Moines, Iowa; Sarah, married Bert Shain 
and died in 1903, is buried in the Blythedale Cemetery; Nettie, married 
George Sample, Des Moines, Iowa; Laura, married John Fish; I. A., the 
subject of this sketch; Mary, married C. B. Hobbs, and died in 1920 and 
is buried in the Hobbs Cemetery. 

I. A. German recevied his education in the district schools. He was 
reared on a farm, thus became familiar with farm life and farming and 
stock raising at an early age and has followed farming all his life. He 
is now the owner of 200 acres of land which is one of the valuable and well 
improved farms of the county. He has a good eight room residence and 
other commodious and substantial farm buildings on the place. He carries 
on geenral farming and stock i-aising and is meeting with success. 

Mr. German was married January 7, 1900, to Miss Villa Dixon, a 
native of Harrison County and a descendant of one of the veiy early 
pioneer families of this section. Her grandfather entered 160 acres of 
government land, four miles west of Eagleville and Mrs. German was 
reared on that place. To Mr. and Mrs. German have been bom five chil- 
dren as follows : Roscoe, died in infancy ; Lorn, who resides at home ; 
Gladys, Lottie and Elden, all of whom reside at home. 

Mr. German has always taken an interest in public affairs and has 
held the offices of justice of the peace and member of township board. He 
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and one of the depend- 
able citizens of Harrison County and the family stands high in the com- 
munity. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 713 

J. W. Todd, a successful and well known farmer and stock raiser of 
Union Township is a native of Missouri. He was born January 18, 1872, 
and is a son of Edward and Rosanna (Baugh) Todd, both natives of 
Kentucky. 

The Todd family came to Missouri and settled in Gentry County in 
1879 and the father was engaged in farming and stock raising in that 
county until 1895, when he came to Harrison County and here spent the 
remainder of his life. He died in 1897 and his remains are buried at 
Brooklyn. 

To Edward and Rosanna (Baugh) Todd were born the following chil- 
dren: James W., the subject of this sketch; David, who lives in Union 
Township ; Patsy, mamed Newton Hunter, and they live in Rooks County, 
Kansas ; Capitola, died in November, 1920, and is buried in Holt Ceme- 
tery; one died in infancy; Mary, lives at Ridgeway; Joe, who has served 
in the United States navy since 1906; one died in infancy; Bert, lives in 
Union Township; and John lives in Jefferson Township. 

Mr. Todd was educated in the public schools and early in life began 
farming and stock raising on his own account and has met with success. 
He owns a valuable farm of 200 acres in section 33, Union Township. 

Mr. Todd was married in 1916 to Mary 0. Kennedy and to them have 
been born three children: Leonard, Frances and Mary Evelyn. 

Mr. Todd is a public spirited and progressive citizen and takes an 
active interest in local matters of a public nature and has served as school 
director of his district and has also served as township trustee. He is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 



John E. Wyant, a well known farmer and stockman of Jefferson 
Township, is a native of Harrison County and was born in 1879. He is a 
son of J. R. and Martha (Shain) Wyant. 

J. R. Wyant came from Iowa to Missouri with his parents in 1867 
and was here married to Martha Shain in 1872. She was born in Harrison 
County. Her father was a very early pioneer settler in this section and 
upon coming here he settled on the land where the town of Eaglesville is 
now located. 

To J. R. and Martha (Shain) Wyant were born the following chil- 
dren: Ollie, married L. J. Nible, of Eagleville; Anna, married John 
Franklin and they live in Oklahoma ; Liew, married Josie McCoy and lives 



714 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

in Jefferson Township; John E., the subject of this sketch; Arthur, lives 
in Union Township; Mrs. Stella Hillyard, Grant Township and one child 
died in infancy. 

John E. Wyant was reared on a farm and received his education in 
the public schools of Hannson County. He has been engaged in farming 
and stock raising practically all his life and has met with uniform success. 

Mr. Wyant was married to Miss Elma Edson, a native of Harrison 
County and a member of one of the very early pioneer families of this 
section of the state. To John E. and Elma (Edson) Wyant were bom 
the following children : Lloyd R., St. Joseph, Missouri ; Clare, Nellie, Ivan, 
Loah, Claude and Gerald, all residing at home. The mother of these 
children died March 11, 1921 and her remains are buried in the Morris 
Chapel Cemetery. 

Mr. Wyant is a substantial citizen and is a member of the Christian 
Church. 



F. M. Wheeler, who has been identified with the development of Beth- 
any, Missouri, for a number of years was born in Harrison County, De- 
cember 18, 1861, a son of Isaac and Irene (King) Wheeler. 

Isaac Wheeler was a native of Indiana and came to Missouri with his 
parents in 1855. They settled in Harrison County on what is known as 
the James Gillespie place, east of Bethany. Isaac Wheeler moved to 
Bethany in 1873 and died here July 24, 1884, and his remains are buried 
in the Dale Cemetery. During the Civil War he served in the Home 
Guards for six months. Irene (King) Wheeler came to Hamson County 
with her parents from Virginia, in 1853, and her father bought land of 
John S. Allen, which Isaac Wheeler later bought. 

To Isaac and Irene (King) Wheeler were born the following children: 
F. M., the subject of this sketch; Mollie, married Mitchell Thompson, of 
St. Joseph, Missouri; Hattie, married Jasper Long, of Bethany, Missouri; 
Eliza, married George Bartlett; Rebecca, married John Skinner of Beth- 
any ; and Fred, is engaged in the drug business at Bethany ; Tom ; Hiram ; 
and an infant, deceased. 

F. M. Wheeler was reared in Harrison County and during most of 
his life he has been engaged in the manufacture of brick and in building 
lines. However, he has also been interested in farming and is the owner 
of a valuable farm of 120 acres in Bethany Township. He also owns 
property in Bethany besides his home there. 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 715 

F. M. Wheeler was married in 1887 to Lou Noll, daughter of Jacob 
Noll, and four children have been born to this union as follows : Joe, who 
is engaged in the undertaking business in Bethany; Ross, who served as 
a soldier in the World War and was in France about eight months, is now 
instructor in agriculture in the King City, Missouri, schools; and Madge, 
who is a teacher in the Bethany High School ; one child died in infancy. 

Mr. Wheeler is one of the substantial citizens of Harrison County and 
the Wheeler family is representative of the best citizenship of this county. 



Dr. C. H. Robertson, a prominent physician and surgeon of Eagleville, 
Missouri, has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession 
in Harrison County for the past twenty-eight years. He was born near 
Gentryville, Gentry County, Missouri, and is a son of Ellis and Abigail 
(Hardin) Robertson, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Brecken- 
ridge County, and the latter of Hardin County. 

Ellis Robertson was born in Kentucky in 1820 and in 1840 came to 
Gentry County, Missouri, and entered government land near Gentryville 
and spent the remainder of his life where he was successfully engaged in 
farming and stock raising. He died in 1877. His wife is also deceased. 
They were the parents of the following children: D. T., who now resides 
at Albany, Missouri and is one of the successful educators of Gentry 
County, having taught school for over thirty years; Elizabeth, married 
John Misimer and died in 1902; and Dr. C. H. Robertson, the subject of 
this sketch. 

Doctor Robertson spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Gentry 
County and received his preliminary education in the public schools and 
then attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. He was engaged 
in teaching until 1891, when he entered medical college and was gradu- 
ated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1893. He then located at 
Washington Center, Harrison County, where he was engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession until 1900. He then came to Eagleville, where he 
has since practiced. Doctor Robertson is an able physician and has a 
large practice in Eagleville and the surrounding country. He has always 
been a close student of the advances which are constantly being made in 
the science of medicine and he has been uniformly successful throughout 
his professional career. 

Doctor Robertson was married in 1883 to Miss Emily G. Patton, who 
is also a native of Gentry County and a member of one of the prominent 



716 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

pioneer families of that section of the state. To Dr. and Mrs. Robertson 
have been born the following children: Carlisle, who lives in Montana; 
Chloe, married J. C. Barber of Eagleville, Missouri; Ruby, died in 1907 
and is buried in Eagleville and one child died in infancy. 

Doctor Robertson is not only a capable and successful physician but 
one of the substantial and dependable citizens of Eagleville and Har- 
rison County. 



Edgar B. Barnett, of Jefferson Township, is a World War veteran 
and is a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of northern Mis- 
souri. He was born December 5, 1892 and is a son of Shely and Emily 
(Parker) Barnett, natives of Worth County, Missouri. They were the 
parents of the following children: Ellen, resides at home; Simon, who 
lives east of Bethany; John, lives in Nebraska; Edgar B., the subject of 
this sketch; Snow, married James Booher; and Hazel lives at home. 

Edgar E. Barnett was reared on the home farm and educated in the 
public schools. When the United States entered the World War he 
entered the United States army and was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, 
for training. After remaining there for eight months, he was sent to 
Camp Mills and ten days later, June 4, 1918, he sailed for overseas, landing 
at Liverpool, England, June 11th. From there he was sent to South- 
hampton, England, and thence to La Harve, Fi'ance, and after a period of 
six weeks' training there was sent to the front and participated in the 
battles of St. Mihiel, Argonne Forest and the Meuse-Argonne. In the 
latter engagement, Mr. Barnett was wounded by shrapnel, being struck on 
the shoulder and on the knee. He was then sent to Base Hospital No. 19, 
and after remaining there about a month he was sent to Brest, France 
and from there to New York to Hospital No. 2. From there he was sent 
to the general hospital in Iowa. He was honorably discharged from the 
service September 12, 1919 and returned to his home in Harrison County. 

Mr. Barnett was married April 10, 1920, to Miss Ella M. Harris, a 
native of Harrison County. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have been born one 
child, Lee Franklin. 

Cecil Harris, the brother of Mrs. Barnett, was killed in the battle of 
Argonne Forest, March 16, 1918. 

Mr. Barnett is a member of the American Legion and one of the 
progressive and enterprising men of Harrison County. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 717 

Harry C. Miller, a successful and widely known merchant of Eagle- 
ville, Missouri, conducts an up-to-date grocery store at that place. Mr. 
Miller is a native of Harrison County and was born December 5, 1884 and 
is a son of Jacob A. and Ada V. (Bonner) Miller. 

Harry C. Miller was reared near Eagleville and attended the district 
school and also the public school at Eagleville, Missouri. He then at- 
tended business college at Maryville, Missouri, and upon completion of his 
course there, he came to Eagleville and engaged in the grocery business 
in 1913. He carries a complete line of fancy and staple groceries and has 
built up a large trade and his business has been a success from the start. 
He has a large patronage in Eagleville, which also extends over a large 
scope of the surrounding country. He also has a lunch department in 
"connection with his store which is patronized extensively. 

Mr. Miller was united in marriage in 1911 with Miss Rose Ingram, a 
native of Nodaway County, Missouri, and a member of one of the early 
pioneer families of that section of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have 
been born two children: Elden L. and Gilbert E., both of whom are 
students in the Eagleville school. 

Mr. Miller is a progressive and enterprising citizen and ranks among 
the leading business men of Harrison County. 



F. M. Davis, owner and proprietor of Cedar Lawn Stock Farm, is a 
prominent farmer and large land owner of Washington Township. He 
was born in Ohio in 1850 and is a son of Cornelius and Matilda Davis. 

Cornelius Davis was born in Virginia and early in life removed from 
that state to Ohio and in 1856 came to Missouri nad settled in Harrison 
County. He bought 160 acres of land about two miles north of Wash- 
ington Center in Washington Township where he engaged in farming and 
stock raising and spent the remainder of his life. During the Civil War, 
he served in the State Militia and was on duty at Weston, Missouri, for a 
time. Cornelius and Matilda Davis were the parents of eight children, 
three of whom are living as follows: Hannah, married Joshua Ayers, of 
Washington Township; Charles, lives in Washington Township and makes 
his home with his sister, Mrs. Ayers ; and F. M., the subject of this sketch. 

F. M. Davis was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of the early 
days in Washington Township and attended such schools as there were 
in those days. The first school which he attended was in an old log build- 



718 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ing and the furniture was of the crude primitive, pioneer type, with which 
the schools of those days were provided. The benches were made of split 
logs and the desks were attached to the walls, and when the pupils were 
in their positions they sat with their backs toward the center of the 
room. Mr. Davis recalls Bill Sundusky, a Kentuckian. as his first teacher. 

Mr. Davis began farming in early life and has been successfully 
engaged in farming and stock raising practically all his life and by his 
industry and good management, he has met with more than ordinary suc- 
cess. He is now the owner of 440 acres of land which is one of the best 
farms in Harrison County. The place is well improved and is known as 
Cedar Lawn Stock Farm. A part of this land has never been out of the 
family since it was entered from the government and Mr. Davis has in 
his possession the original land patent which was issued by the govern- 
ment for 160 acres. 

On August 11, 1875, F. M. Davis was married to Louisa Henderson, 
a native of Ohio, and a member of one of the early pioneer families of 
Caldwell County, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis was bom one child, 
who died in infancy. 

Mr. Davis has served as school director and takes an active interest 
in local affairs of a public nature. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge 
and belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He is a public spirited 
man and one of the leading citizens of Harrison County. 



Wiilard A. Dale, proprietor of a popular and up-to-date cafe at Beth- 
any, Missouri, is a native of Harrison County and a descendant of one of 
the very early pioneer families of this county. He was born three miles 
east of Bethany and is a son of Allen E. and Lucy A. (Fuller) Dale. 

Allen E. Dale came to Harrison County with his parents, who were 
among the very early settlers here. Lucy A. Fuller Dale came to Har- 
rison from Iowa with her parents who were also early settlers in Harrison 
County. 

Allen E. Dale and Lucy A. Fuller were married in 1858 and two chil- 
dren were born to them, who are now living: Emma R., who married J. 
C. Hefner and they live in Wichita, Kansas; and Wiilard A. Dale, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Wiilard A. Dale was reared on a farm and educated in the district 
school of the township and the public schools of Bethany, Missouri. In 
1899 he went to Noel, McDonald County, Missouri, where he was in busi- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 719 

ness for five years. He then returned to Bethany and for some time has 
conducted a cafe here. Mr. Dale conducts a first class place and has a 
large patronage. 

Mr. Dale was married August 16, 1899, to Miss Minnie Bartlett, a 
daughter of John and Susie Bartlett, both natives of Missouri. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Dale have been born one son, John J., who resides at home with 
his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Bethany and in 
1920 he was married to Miss Ruth Leazenby, of Mount Moriah, Missouri. 

Mr. Dale is one of the well known citizens of Harrison County, and is 
progressive and enterprising. 



Simon P. King, Sr., an honored pioneer of Harrison County, now liv- 
ing in Bethany, who has reached the advanced age of ninety-four years, is 
one of the oldest men now living in the county. He was a pioneer mer- 
chant of Bethany and took a prominent part in public affairs and in the 
early day development of this section of the state. 

Simon P. King, Sr., is a native of Pennsylvania and is a typical repre- 
sentative of that class of sturdy pioneers, who laid the foundation of the 
great West. He was born October 7, 1827, in Green County, Pennsyl- 
vania, the son of William and Cecelia (Bailey) King, both natives of Penn- 
sylvania. They were married in 1826 and came to Missouri in 1854. 

To William and Cecelia (Bailey) King were born thirteen children, 
five sons and eight daughters, and the following members of this large 
family are now living: Simon P., the subject of this sketch; Irene, mar- 
ried Isaac Wheeler, of Bethany, Missouri ; Jacob, lives in Oregon, Missouri ; 
F. M., Bethany, Missouri ; and Hannah 0., married John Oxford, Broken 
Bow, Nebraska. 

Mr. King entered government land in Harrison County, five and one- 
half miles west of Bethany, March 31, 1854. This place is now known 
as the Bert Allen farm. In 1869, he located in Bethany and engaged in 
the mercantile business and conducted a store here for thirty years. He 
was one of the pioneer school teachers of this county and taught school 
here for many years during pioneer times. He served as county treasurer 
of Harrison County for four years, and during his active career he always 
took a leading part in the public affairs of Bethany and Harrison County 
and contributed his share to their betterment and upbuilding. 

Mr. King was married July 22, 1847, to Miss Ruhanna Dunlap, who 
was also a member of a very early pioneer family of Harrison County. 



720 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Three children were born to them as follows : Deliah, Bethany, Missouri ; 
William J., died in 1899 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery ; and Mary J., 
who lives in Bethany. 

Simon P. King, Sr., is a member of the Christian Church in which he 
has held membership for many years. He makes his home with his 
grandson, Samuel King, of Bethany. 



W. T. Dearing, a veteran of the World War, who now resides at Beth- 
any, is a son of H. B. and Jane (Connell) Dearing. His father is county 
engineer and surveyor and the biographical sketch of him appears in this 
volume. W. T. Dearing was born June 8, 1891 and received his education 
in the public schools of Bethany. 

On February 16, 1917, W. T. Dearing enlisted in the United States 
navy, at Portland, Oregon, and was sent from there to Mare Island, Cali- 
fornia, and then to Goat Island, where he was in training until May 2, 
1917. He then shipped on the U. S. S. McKee, a torjJedo destroyer. He 
passed through the Panama Canal and went to Boston harbor and from 
there to New York. He was then transferred overland back to the Mare 
Island navy yards from where he shipped on destroyer No. 136 and went 
to Kodiah, Alaska, and from there sailed to Japan by way of Honolulu, 
and sailed from there through the Panama Canal again to Newport News, 
Virginia, and then to Liverpool, England, and from there to Brest, France. 
On May 24, 1918, he sailed from Brest on the U. S. S. Leviathin for New 
York. From there he shipped on the U. S. S. Xacca and from there to 
Ne\vport News, Virginia. He then shipped to Honolulu, with a load of 
mules and from Honolulu, back to San Francisco on the transport Sher- 
man. In June, 1918, he was assigned to the destroyer Shaw and went to 
England for convoy duty and made fourteen trips across the ocean in that 
capacity. He was rated as chief commissary steward and remained in 
the navy until September 12, 1919, when he received his honorable dis- 
charge at Mare Island navy yards. 

Mr. Dearing, after his discharge from the navy, was employed at the 
Union Iron Works at San Francisco, and came to St. Joseph, Missouri, 
February 13, 1920. 

On July 6, 1921, Mr. Dearing was married to Miss Mary E. Marks, 
of Harrison County. 

Mr. Dearing is a progressive young man and favorably known in 
Harrison County. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 721 

John T. Rupe, a pioneer settler of Harrison County was born April 
21, 1837 and is the son of William P. and Hannah (Tussing) Rupe. Wil- 
liam P. Rupe was a native of Pennsylvania and his wife was bom in 
Virginia. The family came to Missouri in 1857 and here the parents 
spent the remainder of their lives. William P. Rupe died in 1873 and his 
wife survived him for a number of years. She died August 21, 1895. 

V.^illiam P. Rupe and Hannah (Tussing) Rupe were the parents of 
the following children: John T., the subject of this sketch; Susan R., 
died in 1919 and her remains are buried in Meriam Cemetery ; Andrew P., 
died in 1899; Amanda, died when young; George W., also died at an early 
age; Caroline, lives in Bethany; Jesse W., deceased; and Nancy Almyra, 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

John T. Rupe served as a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted at 
Bethany August 3, 1861 and become a member of Company E, 23rd Mis- 
souri Infantry. He participated in a number of important and hard 
fought engagements of the Civil War. He was at the battle of Shiloh 
and also took part in the Atlanta campaign. He received his honorable 
discharge from the service September 22, 1864. 

John T. Rupe was married in 1866 to Mary C. Collins and the follow- 
ing children were born to them : Thomas N., Franklin, Nebraska ; James 
W., Bethany, Missouri; John L., died in infancy; Alfred L. Bloomfield, 
Iowa; Bertha, Bethany, Missouri; Estelle, Bloomfield, Iowa; Hattie, de- 
ceased; Mattie, Bethany Township; Lulu, North Dakota; Hazel, King City, 
Missouri; and Andrew P., Bethany, Missouri. 

James W. Rupe was born near Bethany, Missouri, May 3, 1869 and 
was educated in the public schools. In early life he learned the carpenter's 
trade. He became a member of the State Militia in 1889 and was a mem- 
ber of that organization when the Spanish-American War broke out. He 
went with his company to Jeiferson BaiTacks where he was sworn into 
the United States military service April 27, 1898. He was a member of 
Company D, 4th Regiment, United States Volunteers and served under 
Capt. J. F. Slinger, of Bethany. He entered the service as a corporal and 
was with his command at Camp Alger in training and later they were 
sent to Camp Meade, Pennsylvania. He was granted a sixty day fur- 
lough on account of sickness and later returned to his regiment which was 
then at Greenville, South Carolina. He received his honorable discharge 
February 10, 1899 and returned to Harrison County. 

James W. Rupe was married February 28, 1895, to Sarah P. Glenn, 
a native of Harrison County and to them were born two children: Archie 
(41) 



722 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

N., who died April 10, 1897 and is buried in Meriani Cemetery; and John 
C, who was bom July 20, 1897. He is a veteran of the World War, hav- 
ing enlisted in June, 1917 at St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a member of 
Battery A, Coast Artillery Corps and after his enlistment was sent to St. 
Louis and from there to Fort Monroe. After the armistice was signed 
he was discharged at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and later returned to Mis- 
souri. 

Andrew P. Rupe was a member of Company G, 4th Regiment, Mis- 
souri Infantry and during the border ti'ouble was stationed at Laredo, 
Texas and was honorably discharged from the service February 19, 1917. 
He then returned to Harrison County and engaged in carpenter work. 

James W., Andrew P. and John C. Rupe are all carpenters and skilled 
mechanics and members of the Rupe family have been carpenters for 
four generations. They are well known as successful carpenters in Beth- 
any and vicinity, and the Rupe family stands high in the community. 
John T. Rupe is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
Andrew P. is a member of the Knights of Pythias. J. W. is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

Don 0. Rupe, son of Thomas N. Rupe, was a member of the Medical 
Corps in the World War. A. A. Rupe, son of Alfred L., served in a 
motor transportation company. William Rupe, also son of Alfred L., 
served in the navy during the World War. Ber. Cregger, son of Hattie 
(Rupe) Cregger, sei-ved in the navy during the World War and then re- 
turned home and remained here a short time, then enlisted in the navy 
and is still in the service of his country. 



Charles R. Lawrence, a well known carpenter and builder of Bethany, 
who for many years has worked at his trade in Bethany and vicinity, is a 
native son of Harrison County. He was born in Bethany, February 17, 
1857, and is a son of Richard and Mary A. (Goucher) Lawrence, both of 
whom were natives of New Jersey and early pioneer settlers in Harrison 
County. They came here in 1856 and the father bought land here and 
spent the remainder of his life in this county. He died in November, 
1888, and his remains are buried in the Dale Cemetery. His wife died in 
1899 and her remains also rest in the Dale Cemetery. 

To Richard Lawrence and wife were born the following children: 
Richard G., Belton, Missouri ; Sarah A., Cedar Springs, Missouri ; Harriet, 
married John Wilson, and they live in Bethany Township, Harrison 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 723 

County; Hettie, married Lon Rakestraw, Hardy, Nebraska; two children 
died in infancy; and Charles R., whose name introduces this review. 

Charles R. Lawrence was reared in Harrison County and received his 
education in the district schools of this county. Early in life he learned 
the carpenters trade and became an expert workman in this line. He has 
worked at his trade all his life chiefly in Bethany and vicinity and has 
done work on nearly all the principal buildings of this city, including 
churches, school buildings and many of the best residences. 

Mr. Lawrence was married in 1889 to Emma (Kenison) Stafford and 
to them have been born four children as follows : Stella M., who married 
George Goble and they reside in Spokane, Washington; Inez P., who died 
in 1914 and is buried in Dale Cemetery ; Hazel, married William Milburn 
and they live in Denver, Colorado; and Abbie, married Roe Towns and 
they live in Richmond, Kansas. 

Mr. Lawrence is a dependable citizen and the Lawrence family ranks 
among the representative people of Harrison County. 



H. B. Bearing, the popular and efficient county surveyor of Harrison 
County is a native of Missouri and belongs to one of the pioneer families 
of this state. He was born in Sullivan County, November 30, 1854, a son 
of Jacob M. and Eunice C. (McGee) Bearing, both of whom were natives 
of Tennessee. 

Jacob M. Bearing came to Missouri in 1851 and entered government 
land in Sullivan County and lived there until 1890. He was a veteran of 
the Civil War. Eunice C. (McGee) Bearing came to Missouri with her 
parents, who settled in Jackson County in 1841. Jacob M. Bearing and 
Eunice C. McGee were married in 1852 and to them were bom the follow- 
ing children: the eldest died in infancy; H. B., the subject of this sketch; 
Nancy A., married Tobe Campbell, of Pollock, Missouri; Nellie F., mar- 
ried James May, Humphreys, Missouri; James J., Chillicothe, Missouri; 
Sarah M., married Henry Milan, Missouri ; William N., died in 1871 ; John 
M., lives in California; Cora E., married Luther Bales, and they live in 
Missouri ; Hattie, died in infancy, and one other child who died in infancy. 

H. B. Bearing was reared and educated in Sullivan County, Missouri. 
In 1916 he was elected county engineer and surveyor of Harrison County 
and re-elected to succeed himself in 1920. Mr. Bearing was first elected 
by a majority of forty-four votes and his second election was by a major- 
ity of 2,028. He is a capable officer and in this era of constantly increas- 



724 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ing activity in road improvement and other progressive and constructive 
activities the office of county engineer and surveyor of such a county as 
Harrison carries with it much responsibiUty and Mr. Bearing is putting 
his best efforts into his work with very gratifying results. 

Mr. Bearing was married November 8 1877 to Miss Jane Connell, a 
native of Pennsylvania, born February 26, 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Bear- 
ing have been born eight children as follows: Robert M., Seattle, Wash- 
ington; Marguerite E., Bethany, Missouri; Bertha, Bethany, Missouri; 
Virgil M., Seattle, Washington; Cora E., Survey, Nebraska; James E., 
died in 1890; William T., enlisted in the United States Navy during the 
World War and was in the submarine chaser service; and Mary, lives in 
Nebraska. 

Mr. Bearing is well and favorably known in Harrison County and 
the Bearing family is highly regarded. 



William J. Taylor, deceased, son of James and Charlotte Taylor, was 
born in Bloomington, Illinois, Apiil 10, 1838, and died at his home in 
Bethany, Missouri, February 9, 1921, age eighty-two years, nine months 
and twenty-nine days. When a very small boy his parents came to Har- 
rison County and took up government land close to where is now known 
as Bowman Station, near Bethany. Later they sold out and bought land 
near the Star school house and there William J. Taylor grew to manhood. 

In 1861, Mr. Taylor joined the Home Guard Militia, serving for some 
time and in 1862 he reenlisted becoming a member of Company I, 1st Mis- 
souri Cavalry. He again reenlisted in 1864 in Company M, 13th Regi- 
ment, Missouri Cavalry and served his government until 1866, when he 
received his final discharge from the army January 11, 1866. 

William J. Taylor was married to Beliah King, January 19, 1868. She 
was a daughter of Simon King, Sr., a biographical sketch of whom ap- 
pears in this volume. To this union were bom eight children, five sons 
and three daughters. Two of the sons, Charles and Edward R., passed 
away before the death of their father. The others are: Clara J. Neal; 
James R. and Leslie C. Taylor, of Bethany, Missouri ; Rosa Hall, of Cham- 
berlain, South Bakota; Ida May Williams, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and 
John, of Redfield, Kansas. 

Mr. Taylor was converted and united with the Christian Church at 
the age of nineteen years, remaining faithful until death relieved him 
of his obligations on earth. He was a devoted and loving husband and 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 725 

father, a kind and generous neighbor and a friend with all who knew him. 
He left to moui-n him, his wife, six children, twenty-three grandchildren 
and nine great grandchildren; two brothers, James R., of Kansas City, 
Missouri; and Irvin Taylor, Kansas City; one sister, Margaret King, of 
Washington. 

Funeral services were conducted from the home at 2 :30, Friday after- 
noon, February 11th, by Rev. C. V. Pearce. The Grand Army of the 
Republic held a brief burial service. 



Evert Tilley, a popular and well known mail carrier out of the Beth- 
any postoffice, is a native of Harrison County and a descendant of a 
family of early pioneer settlers of this county. He was bom March 10, 
1881, and is a son of James F. and Venitia F. (McCray) Tilley. 

James F. Tilley was bom in Harrison County, his father having set- 
tled here at an early day and homesteaded government land. Venitia F. 
(McCray) Tilley was also born in Harrison County in 1861. Her parents 
were from Ohio and came to Missouri with a colony of twenty families 
in 1858. :-:>^0, 

To James and Venitia F. (McCray) Tilley were born six children as 
follows: Evert, the subject of this sketch; Charles E., who lives in Beth- 
any; He, married W. 0. Ricketts, White Oak Township; Hazel, married 
Dick Linch, of Bethany, Missouri ; Grace, married Lester C. Taylor, Beth- 
any, Missouri; and Cora J., married Barton France, St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Mr. Tilley was reared in Harrison County and educated in the public 
schools. On March 3, 1903, he entered the United States mail service as 
rural carrier out of the Bethany postoffice and has constantly been 
engaged in the service since that time. He has a good record of faithful 
performance of duty to his credit. 

Mr. Tilley was married April 10, 1907, to Miss Lillie E. Wilcox, a 
native of Harrison County and a member of one of the early pioneer 
families of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have been born two chil- 
dren: William B. and Edward E., both residing at home with their 
parents. 

Mr. Tilley has held membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge 
for sixteen years and been a member of the Brotherhood of American 
Yeomen. He is a public spirited and enterprising citizen and has an 
extensive acquaintance in Bethany and vicinity where he is highly re- 
spected. 



726 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Joseph D. McDaniel is the editor and sole owner of the Cainsville 
News, a Democratic paper that has been built up by Mi-. McDaniel to its 
present subscription list of almost a thousand. The rapid increase in the 
number of subscribers attests to the success of the editorial policy of the 
paper. 

Joseph D. McDaniel was bom at Pleasanton, Iowa, May 24, 1863, the 
son of Thomas B. and Catherine (Clark) McDaniel, who were the parents 
of four children, two of whom are living: Joseph D., the subject of this 
sketch and Mrs. W. E. Moreland, of Bethany. Thomas B. McDaniel was 
born in Guei-nsey County, Ohio, and went to Iowa and in 1876 he came 
to Cainsville, Missouri. In Pleasanton, Iowa, he married a widow, Mrs. 
Catherine (Clark) Burns, mother of the subject of this review. She was 
a relative of Abraham Clark, a member of the Continental Congress and 
was a descendant of John D. Goff, noted lecturer and reformer. She died 
at Pleasanton about 1871 and four years later her husband married Eliza^ 
beth McBee, a native of Iowa. By his second marriage Thomas B. Mc- 
Daniel had two children: Bertha, now Mrs. Newton, of Miami, Missouri; 
and Audra, also married and living in Miami. Thomas B. McDaniel was 
a farmer and plasterer and came to Cainsville where he worked at his 
trade for many years. 

Joseph D. McDaniel was reared in Cainsville and attended the public 
schools there. He later went to the Teachers Normal and Business Col- 
lege at Princeton, Missouri, and after leaving that school, he taught in 
the schools of Mercer County for three years and in Harrison County for 
two years. He taught his last school at Akron, Missouri, in 1890. In 
March, 1890, he bought the Cainsville News from S. P. Davidson and has 
made of it an excellent paper. 

Mr. McDaniel was married October 24, 1887, to Delilah A. Willis, who 
was born in Mercer County, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) 
Willis, both natives of Tennessee and early settlers of this state and both 
now deceased. To the marriage of Joseph D. and Delilah A. (Willis) 
McDaniel two children were born : Harvey C, now deceased ; and Cecil 
G., bom at Cainsville. February 6, 1896, and now in business with his 
father. 

Both of Mr. McDaniel's sons were in service during the World War. 
Cecil G. enlisted and was in Companj'^ G, l.S9th Regiment, 35th Division. 
He sailed for the front April 24, 1918 and was in reserve during the Saint 
Mihiel drive. His company led the advance in the Argonne Forest 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 727 

offensive. He returned to the United States April 24, 1919 and received 
his discharge at Camp Funston, May 8, 1919. Harvey C. IVIcDaniel, the 
older of the brothers, was inducted into service for the war and placed in 
Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis for training. Here he took pneumonia 
and died on October 12, 1918 at the age of thirty-two. He was a tele- 
grapher by occupation. He was married to Winnie Omer of Cainsville 
and left a family of three children, Joe Dale, Lillian and Katholeen, all 
living with their mother at St. Francis, Texas. 

Mr. McDaniel has served on the council of Cainsville and was ap- 
pointed to fill an unexpired term as mayor of the city. He was elected 
justice of the peace of Madison Township and served two terms. He is 
a member of the Baptist Church and is a trustee and the chairman of the 
board of deacons of that organization. He is a member of the Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons and has filled all the chairs of Lodge No. 328 
of Cainsville. He also belongs to the Order of Eastern Star and is at 
present the worthy patron of that lodge. Mr. McDaniel is a progressive 
and energetic citizen of Cainsville, a man who can be relied upon to do his 
part in building up the interests of the town and in furthering all civic 
improvement. 



Harvey Nally, a prominent physician and banker of Cainsville and a 
resident of Missouri since his early childhood, was born November, 1854, 
in Jackson County, Ohio, the son of William and Patsy (Gillespie) Nally, 
early settlers of Missouri. 

William Nally was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and when 
he was eleven years old he went with his parents to Jackson County, Ohio,, 
where he farmed until the fall of 1865, when he came to Missouri and 
settled for a time on a farm four miles north of Chillicothe. In 1869, he 
moved to Harrison County, where he bought a farm seven miles south- 
east of Bethany. He lived on this farm until his death December 31, 
1888 at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Nally was a Republican in poli- 
tics but never held any offices. His wife. Patsy (Gillespie) Nally, was 
bom in Jackson County, Ohio, January 22, 1818 and died in 1887. Their 
children were: Lucinda, now Mrs. Barlow of Bethany; Sarah, now Mrs. 
Gibbons of Chillicothe; Susie, now the wife of Edward Poor, Jackson 
County, Ohio; W. J., now deceased; W. S., a resident of Morton County, 
Kansas; Moses, died in Harrison County at the age of thirty-one, leaving 
a family; 0. H., living at Blue Ridge, Harrison County; Harvey, the sub- 



728 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

ject of this sketch; and Frank H., died in Harrison County in 1914, leav- 
ing a family. 

Doctor Nally came to Missouri with his parents when he was eleven 
years old. He attended the public schools here and at the age of nineteen, 
entered the Missouri State University at Columbia from which he gradu- 
ated in 1876 with a medical degree. On January 1, 1877, he came to 
Cainsville and began the practice of medicine which profession he has 
continued ever since. He was in the drug business for twenty-five years ; 
first with I. B. Woodard as his partner and later with Mr. Shaw in the dry- 
goods business. Doctor Nally has been interested in the promotion of 
several enterprises in Cainsville, some of which have now gone out of 
existence. The Enterprise Manufacturing Company and the Handle Fac- 
tory no longer do business. Doctor Nally was one of the men who secured 
the right of way for the Narrow Guage Railway here and in company with 
J. H. Burrows, he brought the first railroad surveyor to Cainsville to look 
over the route. As they came down from Iowa the three men mapped 
out in a general way the route for the new road which was later built but, 
after going into the hands of a receiver, was sold to the Keokuk and 
Western Railway Company. This company made a standard guage road 
of it and finally sold it to the Burlington system. 

Doctor Nally served as a director on the Cainsville Board of Educa- 
tion for more than a quarter of a century. He has seen the Cainsville 
school grow from a little frame building with two teachers to the present 
commodious, well managed high school. Doctor Nally maintains an 
interest in every phase of civic life. He is a member of the Harrison 
County Medical Society, of the Missouri State Medical Society and of the 
American Medical Association. He is the local surgeon for the Burling- 
ton Railway. Not only has he kept up professional and civic duties but 
he has always been interested in all propositions that tend to build up the 
town in any way. He was one of the farseeing body of men who organized 
the Cainsville Bank, and save for a year or two, he has been a director 
of the bank ever since. 

The Cainsville Bank was organized in 1883 with a capital stock of 
$13,000.00, later increased to S20,000.00, and again to $30,000.00 and in 
1914 to $50,000.00. The surplus of the bank is $12,000.00. The present 
officers are: S. N. Glaze, president; H. T. Rogers, cashier; Doctor Nally 
and P. O. Wickersham, assistant cashiers; and Grace TuiTell, bookkeeper. 
The official board of the bank is composed of the following members: 
S. N. Glaze, M. F. Oxford, P. 0. Wickersham, Daniel Smothers, H. T. 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 729 

Rogers and Harvey Nally. The stockholders are scattered about over 
Harrison and Mercer counties and a few shares are held in Des Moines, 
Iowa. 

When the Cainsville Bank opened its doors for business, Samuel H. 
Glaze was the president. C. B. Woodward was the cashier and book- 
keeper and did all the work of the bank for years, filling these positions 
until his death twenty years after the opening of the bank. The first 
bank was operated in an old frame building on the site of the present 
building, which was erected in 1897. In 1913 the building was remodeled 
and refitted with marble furnishings which give the bank a metropolitan 
appearance. 

Doctor Nally was married at Cainsville, November 29, 1881 to Char- 
lotte E. Pickens, a daughter of Enos and Charlotte Ann (Earle) Pickens, 
natives of New York and New Jersey and early settlers of Harrison 
County. To Hai-vey and Charlotte E. (Pickens) Nally the following chil- 
dren were born: Enos Clifton, a graduate of the Cainsville High School 
and of the Northwest Dental School of Chicago, Illinois, now practicing 
in Decatur, Illinois; Hortense, now the wife of F. D. Lawhead, of Cains- 
ville; Bronna, married to Dr. Scott, of Cainsville; William H., a farmer 
near Cainsville; and Eugene Field, living at Cainsville. 

Doctor Nally, is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. He is a member also of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge. Doctor Nally's tall and erect figure is a familiar sight on the 
streets of Cainsville. His varied interests, his high ideals of citizenship 
and his indomitable energy have made him one of the wdely known men 
of the county. 



George E. Girdner, prominent business man of Cainsville, was born 
in Mercer County, two miles southeast of Princeton, June 23, 1874, the son 
of John R. and Mariah Isabelle (Granlee) Girdner, the parents of five 
children of whom George E. was the oldest. 

John R. Girdner was born in Mercer County, November 28, 1848, the 
son of James and Anna (Prichard) Girdner, natives of Kentucky, who 
came to Mercer County and settled in the early days. John R. Girdner 
operated land in Mercer County in early life and came to Harrison County 
in the spring of 1876. He owned a large farm here which he operated 
and was also an extensive cattle feeder and was well known. He was 
one of the men who organized the First National Bank of Cainsville. He 



730 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

married Mariah Isabelle Granlee who was born in Pennsylvania, January 
21, 1854, the daughter of Joseph and Jennie (Maple) Granlee, both natives 
of Pennsylvania who came to Mercer County, Missouri, about the time 
of the Civil War. Mr. Granlee was a farmer and owned the land which 
was later owned by John R. Girdner. John R. Girdner and his wife now 
live in Princeton, Missouri, which has been their home for the past twenty- 
five years. 

George E. Girdner was reared on a farm in Harrison County and at- 
tended the Ross district school and the Cainsville High School. He later 
spent nine weeks as a student in the old Grand River College at Edinburg, 
Missouri, and took a business course of ten weeks at the Stansberry Col- 
lege. He went on the farm in Trail Creek Township with his father and 
when the father moved to Princeton in 1896, George E. Girdner took 
charge and conducted the farm until 1904 when he began to farm for 
himself on his own land. He remained on this land until 1907 when he 
traded it for the home place which he sold in 1916. He still owns several 
acres of land. In 1915, Mr. Girdner bought a lumber yard at Cainsville 
with his brother, Charles, as a partner. In September, 1916, the 
brothers traded the lumber yard for a farm in Iowa and a little later 
George E. Girdner bought out his brother's interest in the land. In 1918 
he again bought the lumber yard at Cainsville and has conducted that 
business ever since. He has a large, well equipped yard and does an ex- 
cellent business. 

Mr. Girdner was married on February 26, 1899 to Elizabeth Leazen- 
by, who was bom in Ohio, the daughter of William V. and Sarah (Keys) 
Leazenby, both natives of Ohio who came to Harrison County in 1881 
and located on a farm south of Cainsville. Mr. Leazenby now lives on 
a farm in Marion Township. After the death of Mr. Leazenby's first 
wife, Sarah (Keys) Leazenby, he married Mary Harrison. To George 
E. and Elizabeth (Leazenby) Girdner the following children were born: 
Forrest W., Charles Dorrel, Lois May, and Elizabeth Lee, all living at 
home. Forrest W. and Chai'les Dorrel are students at Baker University 
at Baldwin, Kansas. 

Mr. Girdner is a Democrat and is a member of the Methodist Church 
where he has been the superintendent of the Sunday School since 1915. 
He belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Modem Woodmen of America, and the Yeo- 
man Lodges. He was the trustee of Trail Creek and Madison townships ; 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 731 

for six years he served in Trail Creek and for two years in Madison. He 
has been a member of the board of education at Cainsville, acting as the 
president for the past five years. He is the secretary and treasurer for 
the Harrison and Mercer County Drainage • District. This is a corpora- 
tion organized for the purpose of straightening Grand River for a dis- 
tance of about twenty miles with a view of preventing overflows and to 
this extent reclaiming about twenty-two thousand acres of land. The 
district was organized in 1916 and the actual work of excavation was 
begun in August, 1921. 

Mr. Girdner is a progressive man who can always be relied upon to 
aid in anything for the public welfare or the community improvement. 



S. C. Mossburg, a well known farmer and successful stock trader of 
Harrison County, lives in Clay Township where he was bom July 14, 1868, 
the son of Phihp and Mary (Collins) Mossburg. 

Philip Mossburg was born in Ohio and later came to Iowa, where he 
married Mary Collins, a native of Jones County, Iowa. In 1868 they came 
to Missouri and settled in Clay Township, Han-ison County, where they 
engaged in farming. Philip Mossburg died a few years ago at the age of 
seventy-seven and his wife died in 1918 at the age of eighty-two. The re- 
mains of both are buried in Akron Cemetery. Mr. Mossburg was a Demo- 
crat in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Their children were: S. M., a resident of Mullens, Idaho; Fred- 
erick, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Frances, the oldest child, who is now de- 
ceased and who was married to J. N. Edwards; Charles W., living at Cains- 
ville; S. C, the subject of this review; Cora and Carrie, twins; Cora mar- 
ried to W. L. Riley of Davis City, Iowa, and Carrie, deceased ; and Floyd, 
living at Riverton, Wyoming. 

S. C. Mossburg was reared on the farm and has followed that occu- 
pation all of his life. He has been a trader and has owned various tracts 
of land at different times. He at one time owned 600 acres and at present 
has a farm of 205 acres in Clay Township. For the last thirty-five years 
he has been a live stock buyer. In the fall of 1920 he left his farm and 
moved to Gainesville where he continues in the business of stock trading 
in which he has been very successful. 

Mr. Mossburg was married on March 1, 1888 to Lena Riley, a native 
of Ohio and the daughter of W. E. and Sidney (Frazier) Riley, both natives 



732 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of Ohio. Mrs. Mossbuig was reared in Harrison County and was a school- 
mate of her husband in the district school. Mr. and Mrs. Mossburg have 
one child, Clayton. He married Nellie Brower of Cainsville and they now 
live at Rosette, Wyoming. They have five children as follows: Maudie, 
Samuel Clair, Kenneth, Robert and Lena K. 

S. C. Mossburg served as the assessor of Clay Township in 1918. He 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Mossburg is a reliable 
and substantial citizen of his community. 



W. Pelikan, reliable hardware merchant of Cainsville, was born in 
the part of Europe now known as Czecho Slovak, July 12, 1858. His 
parents were W. and Antonia (Hlinecky) Pelikan, both of whom were 
bom and lived in Europe. The father died in his native country, Bohemia. 
He was a shoemaker by trade. W. and Antonia (Hlinecky) Pelikan 
had two children born to them: W., the subject of this review; and 
Joseph, now deceased. 

W. Pelikan, the subject of this sketch, learned the tinners trade in 
his native land. In 1881 he left his old home, came to the United States 
and settled in Racine, Wisconsin, where he remained for five years work- 
ing at his trade. In 1886 he came to Cainsville, Missouri, and began 
working for Burrows and McKiddy Hardware Company. Later he worked 
for Moss and Rogers Hardware Company and continued in this position 
for several years. In 1905 Mr. Pelikan went into business for himself 
and opened a hardware store in connection with which he has a tin shop. 
His son, Ted, is a partner in the business with him. The store is located 
in a good, modern building owned by Charles Girdner. Mr. Pelikan and 
his son carry a good stock of goods and conduct a substantial business. 
Mr. Pelikan's early training, as well as the practical work he did after 
coming to Cainsville, have contributed to his later success. 

W. Pelikan has been married twice. The first time was in 1884 to 
Katherine Repa, who was born in Bohemia, November 26, 1864, and died 
in the United States, May 17, 1895. To the union of W. Pelikan and 
Katherine (Repa) Pelikan the following children were born: Mary, now 
the wife of Charles Dolecheck, of Ringgold County, Iowa ; Edwin, now a 
resident of Chicago, Illinois, and a pharmacist by trade; Oldrich, de- 
ceased ; Martha, now Mrs. Alva Rake of Ringgold County, Iowa ; and Fred, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 733 

now a druggist in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Pelikan was married the second 
time to Mary Jane Zeycheck, a native of Bohemia, in 1897. To this 
union three children were born: Florence, living at home and a teacher 
in the public schools; Ted, in business with his father; and Esther, at 
home. 

Fred Pelikan is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted for service 
at Sterling, Illinois and was first sent to Post Hospital, Ward F, Fort Sher- 
idan, Illinois. Later he was sent to the Signal Corps in Camp McArthur, 
Texas, and from there he was sent to the Aero Squad 673, Morrison, Vir- 
ginia. He was next put in 332 Air Service Squadron, Hempstead, Long 
Island, Aviation Field No. 2, and a short time later he was sent overseas. 
He returned home in 1919 and went back into the drug business in Chi- 
cago. All of his war service was done in the medical corps. 

W. Pelikan is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Yeo- 
man Lodge and of a Bohemian lodge, the C. S. P. S. Mr. Pelikan is 
well known in his community where he has the esteem of his associates. 



T. S. Duff, a well known and successful physician and surgeon of 
Cainsville, has been engaged in the practice of his profession since he 
was twenty-one years old, and was a graduate of a medical college before 
he was of age. He was born in Hancock County, Illinois, July 26, 1878, 
the son of J. F. and Mary A. (Rockhold) Duff. Three children were born 
to this union as follows: T. S., the subject of this review; Lee, now a 
mechanic in Los Angeles, California; and Boise, deceased. 

J. F. Duff, father of Dr. T. S. Duff, was born in Illinois in 1852 and 
died at Mountain Grove, Missouri, in 1905. He was a graduate of the 
Law School of Ann Arbor, Michigan and practiced law in Illinois for a 
time. He also farmed and at different times engaged in various occupa- 
tions. After he came to Missouri, he practiced law in Princeton. His 
wife, Mary A. (Rockhold) Duff was born in Wayne County, Iowa, in 1858 
and now lives in Los Angeles, California. 

Dr. T. S. Duff attended the school at Lineville, Iowa. He took two 
years of high school work and then entered the Kansas City Medical Col- 
lege at Kansas City, Missouri, from which he graduated in 1899. He 
began the practice of his profession in Mercer County, Missouri. He 
settled at Cainsville in 1905. Here Doctor Duff has worked hard and has 
built up a good practice. He is always keenly interested in the advances 



734 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

made in his profession. He has taken post-graduate courses, one of them 
polytechnic, both in Chicago, Illinois. He has a good home within the 
city limits. 

Doctor Duff was married in 1901 to Clara Bowman of Davis City, 
Iowa, the daughter of Samuel and Emma (Arnold) Bowman, both natives 
of Iowa. Three children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Duff. They 
are Ethelyn, Madelyn, and Darrel, all at home. 

Doctor Duff is a member of the Methodist Church. He is also a 
member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 



David E. Bain, a farmer of Madison Township, is a veteran of the 
Civil War who has been a resident of Harrison County since he was thir- 
teen years old, when his parents drove overland from Indiana to Missouri. 

David E. Bain was bom March 10, 1846 in Morgan County, Indiana, 
the second of eleven children born to his parents, John and Nancy 
(Bryant) Bain, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky and both early 
settlers in Indiana where they were married. When John Bain was 
thirteen years old he, with his sister and his mother, walked from North 
Carolina to Morgan County, Indiana. He with his wife and children came 
to Harrison County in 1859 and settled in Madison Township on a farm. 
Later John Bain became superintendent of the County Home and retained 
that position for seven years. About 1872 he opened a hotel at Cainsville 
which he conducted successfully for several years. At the same time he 
carried the mail from Princeton to Blythedale. He died at Cainsville and 
his wife died in Mercer County, in August, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine. 

David E. Bain was reared on a farm and worked as a farm hand, re- 
ceiving as payment twenty-five cents a day. As he was a better worker 
than the average his wages were raised to sixteen dollars a month. When 
the Civil War broke out he enlisted at Eagleville in the Forty-third Mis- 
souri Volunteer Infantry, Company E. This company was captured by 
Price at Glasgow, Missouri, in October, 1864, but was later paroled. The 
company was then put on duty to guard the Missouri Pacific Railroad 
between Kansas City and St. Louis and was stationed on the Big Blue 
River in Jackson County. The company was discharged from service in 
August, 1865, at St. Louis. Mr. Bain returned to his work on the farm 
and in 1869 he bought the eighty acres that is now his home. He moved 
onto this place about five years later and built a log house. He fenced 
the place with rails which had to be hauled a distance of eight to ten 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 735 

miles. There were practically no improvements and many times dur- 
ing each year the roads were so muddy that they were impassable for 
horses. Since those early pioneer days, however, the county has been 
developed and Mr. Bain, who has been road overseer for years, points 
proudly to the good roads of the township now. 

David E. Bain was married in October, 1870, to Elizabeth Wilcox, 
a native of Ohio who came to Harrison County with her uncle, Reece 
Preston. Mr. and Mrs. Bain have thirteen children as follows: William 
Franklin, living in Decatur County, Iowa; Deliah, wife of Grant Hadley, 
of Cainsville; John A., a contractor and carpenter of Lake Andrews, 
South Dakota; Harvey, a farmer living near Grand Forks, North Dakota; 
Nancy, deceased, who was married to Tony Baker; Samuel, a farmer 
living in Trail Creek Township; Oscar, in the oil fields of Oklahoma; 
Pearl, living at home; Delia, wife of Sherman Casebolt, of Iowa City, 
Iowa; Dorothy, wife of Everet Baker of Madison Township; Benjamin 
Harrison, Houston, Texas; Oren Earl, who served in the World War. 
He was inducted into service and assigned to Company D, 134th United 
States Infantry, at Camp Cody and was there when the annistice was 
signed. He is now living at Sheridan, Wyoming. One child who died 
in infancy. Pearl and Oren Earl are twins. 

Mr. Bain is a life long Republican and was a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. He is one of the oldest settlers in this part of 
the county and his recollections of the hardships and privations of his 
early life in the county and of the perilous days of the Civit War are 
interesting reminiscences. 

J. G. Buis, an enterprising farmer of Madison Township and the 
owner of 120 acres of land in Harrison County, was born in Trail Creek 
Township, April 28, 1885, the son of James Franklin and Marcella Jane 
(Smothers) Buis. 

James Franklin Buis was born in Indiana, March 14, 1854, the son 
of Henderson Greenbury Buis who came with his wife and family to 
Missouri in early days and settled on a farm four miles east of Ridgeway 
where they spent the remainder of their lives. James Franklin Buis 
left Missouri in 1894 and went to western Kansas where he now lives. 
His wife who was born in Mercer County about 1857 is also living. To 
the union of James Franklin Buis and Marcella Jane (Smothers) Buis 
the following children were bom : Ida, now the wife of R. D. Taylor, of 



736 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Des Moines, Iowa; Ella, now the widow of Samuel Bridge and living on 
her home place in Madison Township; John, deceased; J. G., the subject 
of this sketch; Frances, now the wife of Alva Crabb of St. Joseph, Mis- 
souri ; Rosa, living in Des Moines, Iowa ; Lola, married Leonard Larson 
of Mercer County, Missouri; and Roy, deceased. Lola and Roy Buis 
were twins. 

J. G. Buis attended the White Oak district school and was reared 
on a farm. He began working for himself as a farm hand when he was 
nineteen years old and continued until he was twenty-one. He then 
rented some land in Harrison County south of Ridgeway. He farmed 
on rented ground for five years when he bought his present farm in 
Madison Township. He has made extensive improvements on his farm. 
He breeds Spotted Poland China hogs and sells by public sale and in the 
private markets. He is a careful dealer, although liberal. He is known 
as one of the successful young business farmers of his community. 

J. G. Buis was married on March 24, 1907, to Anna Mary Wyant 
who was born in Madison Township, November 14, 1891, the daughter 
of P. A. and Margaret (Wright) Wyant. To J. G. and Anna Mary 
(Wyant) Buis the following children were born: Delia Delores, Dorrel 
Dean, Deva Delane and Darrel Dee. It will be observed that both the 
names of all the children begin with the letter D. 

Mr. Buis is a Democrat and is a member of the Church of Christ. 
He is serving at present on the school board of district No. 59. Mr. Buis 
is a progressive young man who merits the esteem in which he is held 
by his fellow citizens. 



Frank Peshek, a well known and successful farmer and business 
man of Madison Township, was born in Austria, December 8, 1879, the 
son of Joseph and Frances Peshek, who came to the United States and 
settled in Harrison County in 1882. They bought land in Madison Town- 
ship and farmed for many years. Frances Peshek died in 1911 at the 
age of sixty-seven and her husband died in 1917 at the age of seventy- 
eight. To their union six children were born, only one of whom, the 
subject of this sketch, now survives. 

Frank Peshek was reared on the farm and attended the rural schools 
of the county. He farmed at home until 1903, when he moved to Cains- 
ville and bought a partnership with his brother Joseph, in a grocery and 
meat market. He remained in this business for three years, when he 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 737 

sold his interest to his brother and went into the hardware business with 
George Burris. This firm remained in business until they sold out to 
Smith and Hall and in 1909, Frank Peshek bought the old home place 
of 120 acres. The farm which is called the White Oak Stock Farm is 
well kept and has been improved steadily by Mr. Peshek. The owner 
handles high grade stock and conducts a scientifically managed farm. 

Frank Peshek was married in 1904 to Julia Roubinek who was born 
in Diagonal, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Peshek have no children but they are 
rearing as their son, Virgil Gereaux. 

Mr. Peshek is a Democrat and is a member of the Methodist Church. 
Joseph Peshek helped to organize the First National Bank of Cainsville. 
In 1910, Frank Peshek became a stockholder in the bank and in 1919 he 
was elected to the position of vice president of the bank. He has served 
as a member of the board of directors for five years. Mr. Peshek is one 
of the successful farmers and business men of the county. His varied 
training has fitted him for tlie position of trust he holds in the bank and 
his integrity and business insight have given him the excellent standing 
he has with his fellow citizens. 



Joseph Klesalek is a farmer and stockman of Madison Township, 
where he owns 150 acres of well improved land and handles high grade 
stock and is known as an enterprising and substantial man. 

He was born at Cainsville, August 9, 1883 and is the son of Joseph 
and Frances (Golias) Klesalek. There were four children in the family 
as follows: Anna, deceased; Antone, deceased; Mary, deceased; and: 
Joseph, the subject of this sketch. Joseph Klesalek, Sr., was born in: 
Bohemia in 1847. He was a blacksmith and came to the United States 
about 1874. He settled at Cainsville and worked there at his trade until 
1893 when he began farming on the land now owned by his son, the 
subject of this review. Here he died in 1906. His wife, Frances 
(Golias) Klesalek, was born in Bohemia in 1851, was married there and 
her two oldest children were born there. Mrs. Klesalek is now living 
at Cainsville. 

Joseph Klesalek received his education in the Cainsville public 
school and the St. Joseph Business College at St. Joseph, Missouri. After 
completing his work in school, he began farming on his father's land in 
Madison Township. In 1906 he bought eighty acres of land and in 1915 
he added more until he owned his present tract. Mr. Klesalek has made 
(42) 



738 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a great many substantial improvements on the land and has been suc- 
cessful in his work. 

Mr. Klesalek was married July 10, 1915 to Rosa Lisa. Mrs. Kle- 
salek was born in Madison Township, the daughter of John and Frances 
Lisa who are now living in Madison Township. To the union of Joseph 
and Rosa (Lisa) Klesalek one child, Clarence Edward, has been born. 

Mr. Klesalek is a Republican. In 1921 he was elected trustee of 
Madison Township and is now serving on the school board for District 
No. 59. He is an enterprising young man, well liked in his community. 



Porter Reeves is a prominent farmer and land owner of Harrison 
County. His land holdings consist of 743 acres, 240 acres in Madison 
Township, 160 acres near Lomani, Iowa, 103 acres south of Leon, Iowa, 
and 240 acres in Mercer County, Missouri. 

Porter Reeves was born in Schuyler County, Missouri, July 26, 1861, 
the son of John and Lucenda (Hulen) Reeves. John and Lucenda 
(Hulen) Reeves were the parents of six children: an infant, deceased; 
Porter, the subject of this sketch; Anna, now deceased, who was mar- 
ried to Charles Lynch ; Effie, now Mrs. Sheets, of Cainsville, Missouri ; 
E. S., now a resident of Lawrence, Kansas; and Wilham, of Olathe, 
Kansas. 

John Reeves was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1832 and 
came to Missouri when he was eight years old with his parents, Hiram 
and Anna (Halley) Reeves, both natives of Virginia. They entered the 
first eighty acres of land ever taken up in Schuyler County and spent 
the remainder of their lives there. John Reeves and family came to 
Harrison County in 1875 and bought a farm three miles east of Eagle- 
ville. In 1892 Mr. Reeves retired from active farming and moved to 
Cainsville where ihe died September 16, 1912. He was a prominent 
farmer and stockman in the county. He bought and fed cattle and at 
one time owned 1500 acres of land near Blythedale as well as land south 
of Cainsville. His wife, Lucenda (Hulen) Reeves was born in Schuyler 
County in 1842 and died in 1917. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reeves were mem- 
bers* of the Christian Church. Their remains are buried in Oak Lawn 
Cemetery. 

Porter Reeves was educated in the rural schools of the county. In 
1887 he went into the livery business at Blythedale and later left that 
to enter the hardware business in the same town. He also conducted a 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 739 

hardware store at Cainsville and has dealt in farm and commercial trad- 
ing for several years. In 1903 he moved to Cainsville and has devoted 
his time to the management of his farms since that time. In 1909 Mr. 
Reeves moved to his present home at the northwest part of the city 
limits. 

Porter Reeves was married on October 14, 1880 to Carrie Scott who 
was born in Harrison County, a daughter of Moses and Mary (Graham) 
Scott, both natives of Indiana and early settlers of Harrison County. 
Moses Scott was a well known farmer of the county. Both he and his 
wife are deceased. To Porter and Carrie (Scott) Reeves the following 
children were born: Guy E., a clothier with Frank French, of Cains- 
ville ; and Lora, now the wife of Arthur Brann, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They 
have one child, Mary Reeves Brann. 

Mr. Reeves is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modem Woodmen of America 
lodges. In 1916 he was appointed presiding judge of the First District 
in Harrison County., In his work as a farmer and as a cattle man, in 
his management of the various farms which he owns and in his per- 
formance of his public duties Mr. Reeves has been successful. He has 
high ideals of citizenship and always stands ready to forward the com- 
munity interests and civic welfare. 



James Parrish, deceased, was a well known farmer of Madison 
Township, where he spent many years of his life. Mr. Parrish was 
born in Coshocton County, Ohio, November 28, 1828. His father was 
Pausley Parrish, a native of Illinois, now deceased. James Parrish left 
Ohio in 1860 and went to Illinois where he remained for several years. 
In 1879 he left his old home at Bennett, Illinois, and came to Harrison 
County where he bought a farm of 240 acres of which he later sold 120 
acres to his brother who was also a farmer. Mr. Parrish was a practical 
man in his work; he thoroughly realized the value of progress and put 
many improvements on his farm. 

James Parrish was married July 4, 1881 to Samantha Light, who 
was bom in Shelby County, Illinois, November 10, 1853. She was the 
daughter of Samuel and Cynthana Light, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
She was reared on a farm and has always been a woman who worked 
hard. To her union with Mr. Parrish no children were born, but Mrs. 
Parrish took a little girl into her home and reared her to womanhood. 



740 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The child was Stella Parrish, now the wife of Mr. Beeson of Ridgeway. 
She has a family of ten children. 

James Parrish died at this home on his farm near Ridgeway, Janu- 
aiy 11, 1908, at the age of seventy-nine years. He identified himself 
with the Baptist Church in 1850, and his funeral service was conducted 
by the Baptist minister, Rev. V. M. Harper. The remains of Mr. Par- 
rish are buried in the Lilly Cemetery. 

While he lived in Illinois, Mr. Parrish was a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He was an industrious, energetic man 
who held the high esteem of his neighbors. 



Anthony Skroh, a retired fanner of Madison Township, is now liv- 
ing at Cainsville where he moved after his retirement from active work 
on his farm. He has six acres of ground and a good, well kept home 
in the northeast part of Cainsville where he is enjoying his freedom 
from active business cares. 

Anthony Skroh was born in southeast Bohemia, June 11, 1854, the 
son of Joseph and Anna (Fiala) Skroh. Joseph Skroh was born in 
Bohemia in 1813 and was married in 1848 to Anna Fiala, a native of 
Bohemia, born in 1826. They left their native land in June, 1865 and 
came to the United States where they settled in Madison Township, 
Harrison County. Joseph Skroh was a tanner by trade but he bought 
140 acres of land in Madison Township from Peter Cain and made im- 
provements on it. This land is now held by his son, the subject of this 
review. Joseph Skroh died July 19, 1875 and his wife died in Septem- 
ber, 1876. To their union three children were bom: Joseph, deceased; 
Anthony, the subject of this sketch; and Anna, deceased. 

Anthony Skroh came to Harrison County with his parents and re- 
mained on the farm where they settled until his retirement in 1916. 
After the death of his father, he made extensive improvements on the 
farm and added to the original holding until he owned 380 acres of 
land which he later divided among his children. Mr. Skroh also owns 
land in North Dakota. Several years ago he began breeding Holstein 
and Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses in which work he made a 
success. 

Mr. Skroh was married November 6, 1881 to Mary Stocklasa, born 
February 2, 1862 in Bohemia, the daughter of Wencil and Anna Stock- 
lasa, early settlers of HaiTison County, having left Bohemia in 1876. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 741 

Mr. Skroh was married in Mercer County. To this union seven children 
were born: Anna, wife of Joseph Posler of Madison Township; Fred 
v., who with his wife and three others were killed September 24, 1921 
on their farm at Monte Vista, Colorado; Matilda M., married to Joseph 
Jezek, of Diagonal, Iowa; Adolph, living on the home place; Edwin H., 
hving in North Dakota ; Charlie, the fifth child, who was killed ; and Tressie 
M., living at home. 

Mr. Skroh is an independent voter in politics and is a member of 
the C. S. P. S. Lodge, a Bohemian organization which has held a charter 
in St. Louis since 1854. Mr. Skroh says that his success has been 
achieved because of his hard work. He has been an energetic and in- 
dustrious man and a highly esteemed citizen of his community. 



Samuel H. Glaze, deceased, was a man whose name is connected 
with the pioneer days in Harrison County. He had large land holdings 
and was interested in commercial enterprises, in politics, and in lodge 
work. He was born in Wood County, Virginia, November 13, 1816, the 
son of John and Annie (Wolf) Glaze of German and English descent. 
John Glaze was a soldier in the War of 1812, and later a farmer of West 
Highland County, Ohio, where he died in 1879 at the age of eighty 
years. 

Samuel H. Glaze was reared on a farm in West Highland County, 
Ohio, and farmed on a small tract of land which he owned until 1857, 
when he sold out and moved to Harrison County, where he bought more 
than 2,300 acres of land near Cainsville. He improved this land which 
was later divided among his children. Mr. Glaze helped to organize the 
Cainsville Bank and was the first president of the bank, holding that 
office for a number of years. He was a Republican in politics and served 
as the justice of the peace of his township. He was a devoted member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and worked faithfully in that 
order until his death which occurred May 13, 1907. 

Samuel H. Glaze man-ied Sarah Milburn, a native of Pennsylvania, 
bom August 22, 1815. She died September 6, 1885. To this union nine 
children were born, four of whom are now living: Samuel N., of whom 
a sketch appears; Sarah A., wife of W. C. Baker, whose sketch appears 
in this volume; Lydia L., married to John H. J. Summers and living at 
Blythedale; and Daniel R., a review of whose life appears in connection 
with the sketch of his son, Dr. L. A. Glaze. 



742 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Samuel Nelson Glaze, prominent citizen of Cainsville, belongs to a 
family whose name is well known in Harrison County. The Glaze name 
has been connected with farming interests, mercantile pursuits and 
commercial enterprises for many years. 

S. N. Glaze was born in West Highland County, Ohio, March 9, 1843, 
the son of Samuel H. and Sarah (Milburn) Glaze. Data on the life of 
Sainuel H. Glaze appears elsewhere in this volume. 

Samuel N. Glaze came to Missouri with his parents in 1857. Dur- 
ing the Civil War he enlisted in Company E, 43rd Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry under Colonel Harding and served from August, 1864, until 
June, 1865. He returned to Harrison County and operated a sawmill 
on Grand River with his brother-in-law, W. C. Baker, from 1869 to 1876. 
After then he farmed and then conducted a flour mill in connection with 
his farming for a number of years. 

Mr. Glaze was married April 3, 1893 to Mary E. Kinion, a daughter 
of John Kinion, a farmer and stockman of Madison Township, who came 
to Missouri from Wapello, Iowa, in 1856. He was a veteran of the Civil 
War. To the marriage of Samuel N. and Mary E. (Kinion) Glaze the 
following children were born: Oscar L., now living in Canada; Bertram, 
an implement dealer at Cainsville; Carl E., a farmer in Madison Town- 
ship; and Carrie Austin who died in infancy. 

Mr. Glaze is a Republican in politics. He is the president of the 
Cainsville Bank which his father helped organize. Mr. Glaze is one of 
the leading citizens of Cainsville, a man whose integrity and high ideals 
in business have brought him the trust and esteem of his community. 



Wesley C. Baker, who has been a farmer and stockman in Harrison 
County since 1860, was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, April 20, 1845. 
His father, Jacob A. Baker, was a native of Maryland and came to Indiana 
in his early manhood and became a farmer and plasterer. In Maryland 
he married a Miss Hall who died and later in Indiana he married Mary 
Ann Hite who became the mother of Wesley C. Baker. In 1845 Jacob A. 
Baker came to Iowa but did not like the country and soon returned to 
Indiana where he died in Monroe County in 1850. His wife, Nancy 
(Hite) Baker died in 1857. Jacob A. Baker was the father of thirteen 
children by both marriages. By his marriage to Ann Hall, Jacob A. 
Baker had four children as follows: Eliza Ann, Sarah Jane. John Wes- 
ley and Joseph Henry, all deceased. By Jacob A. Baker's marriage, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 743 

March 5, 1835, to Mary Ann Hite, the following children were born: 
Samuel H., Jacob A., Charles G., Daniel R., Wesley C, the subject of 
this sketch; Cathrine G., Ann B., Margaret, Isaac W., all of whom are 
deceased except Wesley C. 

Wesley C. Baker was reared in Indiana and after coming to Mis- 
souri with his half brother, Joseph Henry Baker, he worked as a farm 
hand on the brother's farm receiving his board and clothes for his work, 
n 1862, he left home and enlisted for service in the Civil War in Com- 
lany E, 3rd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. He served for six months 
and then was discharged on account of disability. In 1863 he helped 
his brother raise a crop and again in 1864, he enlisted in the army at 
Cainsville, in Company C, 48th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was on 
guard duty at Rock Island and was discharged in the fall of 1864. 

After leaving the army Mr. Baker came back to Harrison County 
and in 1865, made an agreement with his brother by which he obtained 
the ownership of 118 acres of land, paying his brother $400.00 in cash 
and working by the month and trading for the remainder which was 
$100.00. In 1866 he left the farm and learned the plasterers trade. 
For three months that winter he attended the district school at Eagle- 
ville. In 1860 and 1861 he attended school in a log cabin which was the 
school building of that day. Here he had as teacher, Henry Carson. In 
1867 Mr. Baker went back to his farm and began work there. This 
place was north of his present farm. He sold some land and traded for 
other land, conducting his business of general farming from 1869 to 
1874 in partnership with S. N. Glaze, his father-in-law from whom he 
borrowed money for part of his enterprises. In 1873, Mr. Baker moved 
to his present farm. Here he built a log cabin and a stable of logs and 
at once set about making improvements. No such thing as barbed wire 
was known, the fences being constructed of rails. Mr. Baker bought 
some land from Mr. Glaze, paying ten dollars an acre for part of it. 
Other people around him wanted to sell, so from time to time he bought 
more land. His wife also inherited land and altogether they had over 
eleven hundred acres in Madison Township. 

Wesley C. Baker was married November 24, 1867 to Sarah Anna Glaze 
who was born March 11, 1849, the daughter of S. H. and Sarah (Mil- 
burn) Glaze. To the union of Wesley C. and Sarah Anna (Glaze) Baker 
the following children were born: Anna M., married to L. D. Cochran 
who now lives at Kirksville and are the parents of four daughters, all 
teachers ; Samuel H., a farmer living southwest of the home place in 



744 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Madison Township and the father of one child; Charles W., a farmer 
living west of his father's farm and with three children; Harvey N., a 
farmer living six miles southeast of Cameron with four children; Coy E., 
a resident of Madison Township with three children; Mary Cordia, at 
home; and Manly V., conducting the home place, has one child. All of 
Mr. Baker's children had a good common school education. He has 
sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

Mr. Baker is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. 
Before the Civil War, he was identified with the United Brethren Church, 
but later went into the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church and was a class 
leader in it for many years. He belonged to the Grand Army of the 
Republic and always took an active interest in the work of that organ- 
ization. Mr. Baker is a citizen who can always be depended upon to 
further the cause of community improvement, a man with high 
standai'ds of citizenship and one who has been successful because of his 
energy and perseverance. 



J. 0. Reed, a druggist and well known business man of Blythedale, 
was bora in Union Township, March 29, 1870. His parents were George 
O. and Jennie (Shirtz) Reed. 

George 0. Reed was born in Kentucky in November, 1842. He was 
a farmer and came to Missouri with his parents very early in his life. 
They settled in Clinton County and George 0. Reed remained there until 
after the Civil War when he moved to Union Township, Harrison County 
and farmed there until his death, March 19, 1894. His wife was born 
in Clinton County in 1849. She now lives at Ridgeway. To the mar- 
riage of George 0. and Jennie (Shirtz) Reed the following children were 
born: Cora G., now Mrs. Albei't Garrison of Ridgeway; Mary V., mar- 
ried to F. L. Cowperthwaite of Dighton, Kansas; J. O., the subject of 
this review ; and Lydia, now the wife of Dr. J. J. Winningham, of Blythe- 
dale. 

J. 0. Reed was reared on a farm and remained in farm work until 
1886. He was educated in the district schools and the Eagleville High 
School. In 1892-1893 he attended the college at Stanberry and then 
taught school for eight years in the rural schools at Ridgeway, at Eagle- 
ville and at Blythedale. He clerked in a drug store for a while and then 
went to Highland Park College in Des Moines where he took a course in 
pharmacy. In 1896 Mr. Reed entered the drug business at Blythedale 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 745 

which busmess he has conducted ever since, and in which he has been 
successful. 

Mr. Reed was married May 6, 1896 to Mamie Winningham who was 
born in Harrison County, the daughter of Dr. F. M. and Ehzabeth 
(Woodward) Winningham, both now deceased. No children were born 
to Mr. Reed's marriage. In 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Reed adopted a son. 
Jack C, who was born June 11, 1921. 

Mr. Reed is identified with the Democratic party in politics and is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America Lodge. He helped organize the Citizens Bank of 
Blythedale and has been on the board of that institution since its organ- 
ization. He is a stockholder in that bank and also in the Fanners and 
Merchants Bank. Mr. Reed is a progressive business man and a reliable 
citizen of his community. 



Dr, J. J. Winningham, a successful physician and surgeon of Blythe- 
dale and the owner of 363 acres of land in Union Township, belongs to 
a family that has been favorably known in Harrison County for many 
years. He was born at Brooklyn, Missouri, March 3, 1870, the son of 
Dr. F. M. and Elizabeth (Woodward) Winningham. His birth place 
was the same farm where his mother and his son, Archie, were born. 
The tract of 176 acres is now owned by Dr. J. J. Winningham. 

Dr. F. M. Winningham was born March 3, 1846 on a farm two miles 
northeast of Bethany. He received his medical training at the Cincin- 
nati Medical School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1874. 
He began the practice of his profession at Martinsville and came to 
Blythedale in 1896 where he built up a practice and remained until his 
death in 1912. He was also interested in the drug business. Doctor 
Winningham was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
His parents were Sharp and Malinda (Miller) Winningham, natives of 
Indiana. Sharp Winningham was one of the memorable group of men 
who went west in 1849 in search of gold. He was killed on the way to 
the gold fields. Elizabeth (Woodward) Winningham was born in 1850, 
the daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Robinson) Woodward, both natives of 
Virginia and early settlers of Harrison County where they o^vned land 
in Union Township. Mrs. Winningham died in 1912. 

Dr. J. J. Winningham is one of three children bom to his parents. 
The others are: Allie, now the wife of Porter Buntin of Blythedale; 



746 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and Mamie, now the wife of J. 0. Reed, a sketch of whose life appears 
in this volume. All of the children grew up on the farm and J. J. Win- 
ningham attended the Marion Sims Medical College at St. Louis from 
which he graduated in 1897. He began practicing at Brooklyn, Mis- 
souri and remained in that location until 1907, when he came to Blythe- 
dale where he has established a good practice. 

Doctor Winningham was married October 30, 1890, to Lydia Nevada 
Reed, bom in Harrison County, the daughter of George 0. and Jennie 
(Shirtz) Reed. To this union two children were born: Archie J., a 
veteran of the World War who served in France for a year in the 
Engineer Corps and now living at Eastland, Texas; and Bonnie Lee, 
now the wife of Vern Trotter of McPherson, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. 
Trotter have one daughter, Catherine. 

Doctor Winningham is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America and belongs to the Harrison County 
Medical Society. He is a substantial citizen and a progressive man in 
his profession. 



Thomas Brinigar, a practical farmer and stockman of Harrison 
County, is the owner of 196 acres of well improved land and has his 
residence one-fourth mile from the city limits of Blythedale. 

Mr. Brinigar was born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, June 23, 
1852, the son of Michael and Emily (Kreamer) Brinigar, sketches of 
whose lives appear in connection with the review of the life of W. J. 
Brinigar in this volume. Thomas Brinigar attended the district schools 
of Wisconsin and came v/ith his parents to Missouri when he was 
eighteen years old. That was in the early days when Harrison County 
was still a part of the wild frontier and Mr. Brinigar tells that the 
country abounded in deer, wild turkeys and prairie chickens. He had 
all a boy's zest for hunting and used to shoot the prairie chickens from 
his father's doorway. 

Thomas Brinigar became heir to forty acres of land and later added 
to that tract. He improved his land and sold it, buying it back in 1921. 
He does general fanning on his land and is a successful stock raiser. 

Mr. Brinigar was married the first time February 16, 1872 to 
Lucinda Bandy, a native of Knox County, Illinois. To this union four 
children were born: Rosa, the wife of Jacob Walton of Colfax Town- 
ship; George, living in Marion Township; Alta, married to B. M. Troxell, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 747 

of Wyoming; and Grace, wife of Benjamin Briggs. Mrs. Brinigar died 
February 12, 1918 at the age of sixty-one years. On March 4, 1920, 
Mr. Brinigar married the second time, Mrs. May (Bell) Smith, widow 
of Norman Smith, of Lamoni, Iowa, who had, by her first marriage, 
one daughter, Ruth, now married and living in Montana. 

Mr. Brinigar is a Republican and is a member of the Latter Day 
Saints Church. He is much interested in the problem of better roads 
and has served as road overseer for his township. He has also served 
on the grand jury at Bethany and has been a member of the petit jury 
five terms, one term at St. Joseph. Mr. Brinigar is a reliable citizen, 
industrious and enterprising. 



J. E. Harper, the popular and efficient cashier of the Citizens Bank 
at Blythedale, was bom in Colfax Township, February 29, 1888, the son 
of S. M. and Eldora (Richardson) Harper to whom three children were 
born: J. E., the subject of this sketch; Telore, living in Colfax Town- 
ship; and W. I., a resident of St. Joseph. 

S. M. Harper was born in Colfax Township, in January, 1867, the 
son of W. B. and Nancy (Bridges) Harper, the former a native of Ken- 
tucky and the latter of Illinois. They were among the early settlers of 
Harrison County, coming here in 1848 and homesteading land in section 
22 of Colfax Township. W. B. Haiper died on the land which he took 
up. He owned other land in Missouri and also in Kansas at the time 
of his death in 1894 when he had reached the age of ninety-four years. 
His wife died in 1906 at the age of seventy-two. Eldora (Richardson) 
Harper was a native of Clay Township and died when only a young 
woman. S. M. Harper now lives with his son, the subject of this re- 
view. As a young man, S. M. Harper was a farmer, later conducting a 
butcher shop and still later engaging in the drug business at Blythe- 
dale. He went to St. Joseph and was in various lines of work until 
1920, when he came back to Blythedale to live with his son. 

J. E. Harper was reared on a farm, attended the district school and 
began life for himself at the age of sixteen, when he began farming on 
a farm with his uncle, John A. Harper. Mr. Harper continued to farm 
until 1911, when he began to carry the mail on Route No. 3 and later 
on Route No. 1 from Blythedale. In 1919 he accepted the position of 
cashier at the Citizens Bank and has continued in this place ever since. 



748 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The Citizens Bank of Blythedale was organized in 1910. The first 
pi'esident was Christopher Canaday. The present officers are: W. J. 
Brinigar, of Marion Township, president; M. B. Officer, of Blythedale, 
vice president; J. E. Harper, cashier; and R. F. Richardson, J. M. Gill, 
J. O. Reed, E. M. Dale, W. J. Brinigar, and M. B. Officer, directors. The 
capital stock surplus and undivided profits of the bank is $37,000.00. 
The bank is located in a building owned by the organization with furni- 
ture and fixtures valued at $1,750.00. 

Mr. Harper was married January 2, 1910 to Mattie Jones, born in 
Clay Township, the daughter of S. P. and Malinda (Cason) Jones, early 
settlers of this county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Harper; Creta and Cleo, the latter deceased. 

Mr. Harper is a Democrat and is identified with the Christian 
Church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Harper is a capable busi- 
ness man who brought a wide experience to the bank and has therefore 
been a marked success in his line of work. He has assisted in building 
up the Citizens Bank and that institution is now one of the efficient 
banking organizations in the county. 



H. W. Beeney, formerly a farmer and stockman, has now retired 
from active life but still lives on his farm of eighty acres in Clay Town- 
ship. Mr. Beeney is of English descent, his parents having been among 
the people who saw greater and better opportunity for prosperity and 
improvement in the new land of America than in their native country. 

H. W. Beeney was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 8, 1846, 
the son of Joseph and Anna (Wright) Beeney, both natives of England 
where they were married. They were the parents of eleven children of 
whom the subject of this sketch was the tenth child born and is now 
the only surviving one. Mr. and Mrs. Beeney came to the United States 
in their youth and settled in Knox County, Ohio, where they operated a 
farm and where they both died. 

H. W. Beeney was reared in Ohio on his parent's farm. After his 
marriage he came to Labette County, Kansas where he conducted a 
farm. In 1869 he moved to Harrison County and rented land in Clay 
Township. He farmed and worked in Princeton for six years and about 
1883 bought his present farm. He has improved this land extensively 
and was successful in his work on it. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 749 

On September 26, 1867, Mr. Beeney was married in Knox County, 
Ohio to Mary Riley, born in that county, August 5, 1848, the daughter 
of Lewis and Mary (Holland) Riley, a review of whose lives appear in 
this volume. To the union of H. W. and Mary (Riley) Beeney four 
children were born : Lewis C, deceased ; Owen L., living in Phelps County ; 
Gracia G., now the wife of H. F. Thomas and living with her father, 
the subject of this sketch; and Joseph, a resident of Kansas City, Mis- 
souri. Mr. Beeney has four grandchildren. 

Mr. Beeney is an adherent of the democratic party in his political 
views and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow citizens because of his life of integrity 
and industry. 



Wallace W. Kurd, deceased, was a prominent farmer in Harrison 
County for many years. He was a native of Ohio, born in Lorain County, 
February 22, 1846. 

Mr. Kurd's parents were Seneca M. and Ellen (Hubbard) Hurd, the 
former born in Ohio and the latter a native of Illinois. To their union 
five children were born, the oldest being Wallace W., the subject of this 
sketch. The only child surviving at present is a daughter; Emma, now 
Mrs. Turner and living at Harvard, Nebraska. After the death of Ellen 
(Hubbard) Hurd, Seneca Hurd married Maria Derby and to this union 
two children, a son and a daughter were born. 

Wallace W. Hurd was a miller by trade and he worked at this occu- 
pation in Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1870 he came to Harrison County and 
bought a farm of sixty acres in Marion Township. He added to the 
original holding until he owned over 230 acres of land. He operated his 
farm successfully and in the course of time began to breed pure bred 
cattle. He handled only the pure bred stock and raised Herefords. This 
business he continued to conduct in connection with general farming 
until his death. 

Mr. Hurd was married December 13, 1868, to Ellen Brinigar, born 
in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, August 23, 1850. Her parents were 
Michael and Emily (Kreamer) Brinigar, mentioned in connection with 
the review of the life of W. J. Brinigar in this volume. To this union 
of Wallace W. and Ellen (Brinigar) Hurd eight children were born, two 
of whom are now deceased. Those living are: Hattie Belle, wife of 
John Copper, a farmer in Chase County, Nebraska; Myron H., living at 



750 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Kinsley, Kansas; Oscar E., a resident of Meeker, Colorado; Harvey W., 
of Meeker, Colorado; Ross, address unknown; and Ella Maud, now Mrs. 
F. J. Allman, of Blythedale. A sketch of the life of F. J. Allman ap- 
pears in this volume. 

Wallace W. Hurd died at his home in Blythedale, Missouri, P'ebru- 
ary 15, 1918, and his widow is now living at Blythedale. Mr. Hurd was 
a Republican in politics and was an adherent of the Church of the Lat- 
ter Day Saints, of which church his widow is a member. Mr. Hurd was 
a member of the school board of his district, serving in that capacity 
with efficiency. He was a man of energy, strong purpose and industry. 
In his business affairs he was ever upright and fair and in his work 
as a citizen he was the upholder of high standards. 



Ii-a Caldwell, a retired farmer of Marion Township and a veteran 
of the Civil War, is living now in Blythedale. He retains the owner- 
ship of eighty acres of land in sections 11 and 12 in Marion Township. 

Mr. Caldwell was bom in Fayette County, Indiana, May 12, 1839, 
the son of Train and Jane (McClure) Caldwell, both natives of Ohio. 
The parents of Train Caldwell were natives of Kentucky who migrated 
to the northwest in the early days. While on their way to their new 
home, they stopped near Cincinnati, then a village of four little log 
cabins to negotiate a treaty with the Indians, and while waiting there 
Train Caldwell was bom in the block house where his parents stopped. 
Train Caldwell was a farmer all of his life. He died at Connersville, 
Indiana. Jane (McClure) Caldwell was a native of Adams County, 
Ohio, and she also died at Connersville, Indiana. 

Ira Caldwell was reared on a farm in Indiana. In 1870, he went 
with his family to Cole County, Illinois and farmed there for four years. 
In 1874 he came to HaiTison County and settled on a farm in Marion 
Township where he bought land until he had 200 acres. He improved 
this land and remained on it, conducting a successful business until May, 
1920, when he gave up the active work of the farm and came to Blythe- 
dale to live. 

Mr. Caldwell enlisted in the Union army in August, 1862, when 
President Lincoln called for 500,000 men. Mr. Caldwell was in Company 
I, 84th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and remained in active service 
throughout the war. He served under Major General Thomas and was 
in sixteen battles. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 751 

Ira Caldwell was married October 10, 1867 to Margaret J. Kelsey, 
who was born in Rush County, Indiana, February 7, 1841. Her parents 
were Joab and Sallie (Broadway) Kelsey. Joab Kelsey came to Har- 
rison County in 1855 and homesteaded land in Marion Township, but left 
that same year and returned to Indiana where he remained until 1869 
when he came back to Harrison County. He died here and his remains 
are buried in Hugh's Cemetery near Ridgeway. The remains of his 
wife are buried in Indiana. To their union six children that were bom 
grew to maturity. There are only two living at present: Mrs. Cald- 
well and Mrs. Caroline E. Moore, a widow, living at Blythedale. 

To the union of Ira and Margaret J. (Kelsey) Caldwell two chil- 
dren were born: Hester, for several years a teacher, now married to 
C. B. Harrison and living on a farm in Marion Township and Sanford, 
deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Baptist Church and he 
is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 551 at Blythe- 
dale. He is one of the hardy and intrepid men who met the difficult 
days of the country's history with courage and fortitude. To such we 
owe much credit and praise. 

Mr. Caldwell has in his possession a solid silver cup inscribed "Indi- 
ana State Fair Premium, 1857", which was awarded him for exhibiting 
the best fat cow shown at the Indiana State Fair that year. He also 
has a pipe bowl which he whittled out with a pocket knife while he was 
in the army in 1863, from a laurel root which he got on Lookout Moun- 
tain, Tennessee. The bowl is as perfect as though it was moulded by 
modern machineiy. 



R. C. McNelly, a retired farmer of Colfax Township and the owner 
of 180 acres of land there, is of Irish descent and is a veteran of the 
Cvil War. He was born near Jefferson in Clinton County, Indiana, the 
son of John and Jane (Thompson) McNelly. 

John McNelly was born in New Jersey, August 18, 1816. He was 
a wool carder by trade but later in his life became a farmer. He came 
to Decatur County, Iowa in 1854 and died there July 30, 1890. His 
wife was bom in Pennsylvania, February 25, 1821 and still lives, al- 
though more than a hundred years old, at Ridgeway. She was mar- 
ried in Indiana and to her union with John McNelly six children were 
born, two of them now deceased. 



752 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

R. C. McNelly was the second child of his parents. He was reared on 
a farm and came with his parents to Iowa when he was eleven years 
old. He married there and in 1876 came to Harrison County where he 
bought his present farm which he at once began to improve. He did 
general farming and stock raising in both of which industries he achieved 
success. 

Mr. McNelly was married April 27, 1870 to Catherine Asbach who 
was born near Bonne, Germany, July 24, 1848 and came to the United 
States in 1853 with her parents, John and Veronica (Proff) Asbach. 
They settled at Brunswick, Missouri that same year and operated a 
farm there, later moving to Decatur County, Iowa where they also con- 
ducted a farm. To the union of R. C. and Catherine (Asbach) McNelly 
four children were born: William, now living at home; Mary F., the 
widow of Mark Stanley of Lamoni, Iowa; Ida, deceased; and Gertrude, 
living at home. Mr. McNelly has three grandchildren, Everett, Vernon, 
and Gertrude Stanley. Mrs. McNelly died at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, while 
there being treated, November 26, 1901. 

Mr. McNelly is a democi-at in politics. He enlisted for service in 
the Civil War, October 8, 1864 in the 16th Volunteer Infantry, 3rd 
Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Corps, Company G, which was made up 
at Dubuque, Iowa. He saw service in the south and was with Sherman 
on his famous March to the Sea. He participated in the final Grand 
Review at Washington, and was mustered out of service in 1865 at 
Davenport, Iowa. The lives of such men as Mr. McNelly mean much 
in the growth of a county. By their adherence to high standards of 
citizenship, by their indomitable perseverance in the face of difficulties, 
and by their appreciation of the needs of the community they have made 
possible the highly organized civic body that makes the county today. 



William Whittig, a retired farmer of Colfax Township and the owner 
of 400 acres of land there, is a man whose name belongs in a record such 
as this. He is the oldest living settler now in the township and the 
history of his life since he came to Harrison County is the story of 
the development of the county itself. 

Mr. Whittig was born five miles from Dayton, Ohio, December 25, 
1827, the son of Frederick and Barbara Whittig, the former a native of 
Germany and the latter born in Maryland. They were the parents of 
six children of whom Mr. Whittig is the only one surviving. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 753 

Wiliam Whittig enlisted for service in the Civil War at Bethany 
in 1862 and was placed in the Provision Corps. He participated in the 
mihtary movements around Lexington. After the war, Mr. ; Whittig 
returned to his home in Harrison County and has lived here ever since. 
He lived in Whiteside County, Illinois for a time when he was a young 
man and came to Missouri in 1856. He settled in Colfax Township and 
homesteaded 160 acres of land for which he paid the government two 
dollars an acre. To enter land, it was necessary to make payments in 
gold coin, a rare commodity that was difficult to obtain. The Missouri 
banks refused to accept Iowa money, and in turn the Iowa banks refused 
Missouri money. Mr. Whittig says the old "shin plasters" were the 
ordinaiy medium of exchange. Fortunately he had, put away some 
gold coins while he lived in Illinois and these coins he used to make 
the payments on his land in Harrison County. 

Mr. Whittig's reminiscences of life in the early days in the county 
are worthy of a repetition here. They make a phase of history that 
we can get only through the men and women who were an integral part 
of those pioneer days. Mr. Whittig built a log cabin on his land, and 
being a poor man with a large family, he and his wife worked practically 
day and night to improve the farm. The cabin set in the midst of 
prairie grass as high as a horse and when Mr. Whittig bought cattle he 
kept them in the yard around the cabin with bells tied to them so he 
could find them in the mornings. Otherwise they would have ibeen 
lost in the thick prairie grass. He used oxen to break the prairie land, a 
slow and arduous task. He received corn from St. Joseph and then 
took it to a grist mill, worked by horses, where it was ground into meal. 
Flower was so expensive that it was used only rarely in the family. 
When the busy season came, Mr. Whittig often broke prairie all day and 
then cut corn until midnight. It was a life of privations and hard 
work but it laid the foundation for the well improved farm that belongs 
to Mr. Whittig now. 

William Whittig was married to Elzabeth White, born in Elkhart 
County, Indiana, who died soon after the close of the Civil War at the 
age of thirty-six years. To this union nine children were born, six of 
whom are still living: Frances, deceased, married Frank Smith; Albert 
D., living on the home place with his father; Harvey, living in Scotts 
Bluff County, Nebraska, Martha, deceased, was married to Albert DeLong; 

(43) 



754 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Charles, living in Idaho; Leander, a resident of California; Joseph, liv- 
ing in Idaho; Ulysses, deceased; and Rose, at home with her father. 

Mr. Whittig is a republican in his political views and is a member of 
the United Bretherni Church. To men such as Mr. Whittig:, we of 
today owe much. They braved the dangers of frontier life and, by 
their work, made possible the industrial and civic growth that have 
built up Harrison County. 



W. C. McKiddy, a resident of Cainsville where he is the o\mer of 
property, has been a merchant, a farmer and a school teacher in this 
county and is a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Knox County, 
Kentucky, February 3, 1845, the son of John H. and Bersheba (Fuson) 
McKiddy. Of the eight children born to them only two are now living. 
They are: W. C, the subject of this sketch, the sixth child born; and 
Rachel, the wife of Charles Hunter of Mercer County. 

John H. McKiddy was born in Whitley County, Kentacky in 1810, 
the son of John and China (Rose) McKiddy, the former a native of 
Scotland and the latter bom in Whitley County, Kentucky of English 
decent. John H. McKiddy died in 1849. His widow, a native of Knox 
County, Kentucky, born in 1819, brought her family to Mercer County, 
Missouri, in 1858 making the difficult overland trip driving a team of 
oxen, braving the privations and hardships with pluck and a hardy 
endurance that were characteristics of the enterprising families who 
came to the untried frontier in those days. She and her family all 
settled on a farm which they began to improve. Mrs. McKiddy had 
six sons and four who served in the Civil War. Thomas, John, and 
Jonathan all served in Company M, Missouri State Militia Cavalry. W. 
C, the subject of this review, served in Company D, 44th Missouri 
Volunteer Infantiy. Mrs. McKiddy died in February, 1865. The county 
may well be proud of such pioneer women for to their indominable 
perseverance we owe much of our present stability. 

W. C. McKiddy was reared on a farm. He enlisted in the war 
at Princeton, Missouri, August 2, 1864 and was discharged from service 
at St. Louis, August 15, 1865 having seen service in some of the late 
battles of the war. He went back to Mercer County after the war and 
began farming in 1867. He sold his farm in 1876 and entered the teach- 
ing profession in which he remained until 1883. He received his edu- 
cation in the rural schools and attended a select school but was prac- 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 755 

tically a self-educated man. He taught in Mercer County and the two 
years from 1881 to 1883 in Cainsville. On March 31, 1883 he opened a 
hardware store at Cainsville which he continued to conduct for twenty 
years. On April 6, 1903 this store was burned and Mr. McKiddy then 
went into the real estate business, continuing to conduct this enter- 
prise until 1916 when he retired from active business life. 

Mr. McKiddy was married May 10, 1883 to Ida B. Chambers, of 
Cainsville, who was born March 31, 1863 and died March 2, 1918. She 
was the daughter of John Quincy and Margaret E. (Bishop) Chambers. 
Her father was a blacksmith and an early settler of Harrison County. 
To the union of W. C. and Ida B. (Chambers) McKiddy four children 
were born : John H., editor of the Enid Sunday News at Enid, Oklahoma ; 
Addie Belle, wife of E. C. Mullins of Princeton; Sylvia M., married to 
D. L. Oliphant and now living with her father; and Harry E., acci- 
dently killed at Hutchinson, Kansas. Mr. McKiddy has nine grand- 
children. 

Mr. McKiddy is a republican and is a member of the Baptist Church 
of which organization he is a deacon. He has been a notary public for 
twenty years. Mr. McKiddy is a man whose variety of pursuits have kept 
him keenly interested in phases of social and business life and he main- 
tains this interest since his retirement from business. 



Chailes A. Kopp, enterprising farmer of Colfax Township owns 
220 acres of well improved land and raises graded stock. He is a native 
of this county where he was born in Colfax Township, January 29, 1876, 
the son of John M. and Sarah (Hoffman) Kopp. 

John M. Kopp was born in Wurtenberg, Germany, January 27, 1831. 
When he was a boy of eleven years he came to the United States with 
his parents and settled in Iowa. When he was thirteen years old he 
started to work for himself and became the owner of a good farm in 
Iowa. He came to Harrison County about 1858 and settled in Colfax 
Township. He married Sarah Hoffman of Indiana who was born in 
January, 1836, and grew up in Morgan County, Indiana. To their union 
seven children were born. Three of them are now living; I. L., living at 
Bethany; Hettie E., now Mrs. Poush of Riverton, Nebraska; and Charles 
A., the subject of this sketch. 

John M. Kopp died November 7, 1909 and his widow died October 19, 
1917. Mr. Kopp was a Republican in politics and a member of the 



756 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Christian Church. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic Post at Eagleville. He served in the 23rd Volunteer Infantry, 
Missouri, during the Civil War and was in the Battle of Shiloh where 
he was wounded. He was then assigned to hospital duty and was 
discharged as disabled. He came back to Harrison County then, where 
he married and spent the remainder of his life. 

Charles A. Kopp has always lived on a farm. He has therefore 
been connected in a very practical way with farm problems all of his 
life. He bought his first land in 1899, improved it, and added to his hold- 
ings as he could until he has acquired his present well located and nicely 
improved fann. 

Mr. Kopp was married to Ida M. Hutton, September 13, 1899. Mrs. 
Kopp was born in Colfax Township, the daughter of Marcellus T. and 
Anna (Graham) Hutton. Mr. Hutton was born in Bedford, Indiana 
and Mrs. Hutton was a native of Galesburg, Illinois. They were early 
set^jtlers of Harrison County. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kopp have two adopted children; Josephine E. and Roy N. 

Mr. Kopp is a Republican and is a member of the Reorganized Church 
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Kopp is a reliable and sub- 
stantial member of his community, a man known for his integrity and 
progressive ideals. 



W. W. McFarland, deceased, was a well known farmer in Colfax 
Township for many years. He was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, 
October 29, 1870, the son of Daniel and Sarah (Rutledge) McFarland. 

Mr. McFarland was a farmer all of his life. He was reared on his 
father's farm in Iowa and after he grew to manhood he bought land for 
himself in that state. In 1895 he came to Harrison County and rented 
a fai-m near Eaglesville. That same year, however, he bought the 
present McFarland farm in Colfax Tovniship. This was at first a tract 
of eighty acres but Mr. McFarland added to the original holding until 
he owned 200 acres all well improved. He did general farming and raised 
graded stock attaining marked success in both lines of work. He died 
April 2, 1918. 

W. W. McFarland was married at Fredericksburg, Iowa, December 
27, 1893 to Bertha Farnum. Mrs. McFarland was born in Marengo, Iowa, 
where she grew to womanhood. Her father was William C. Farnum, 
born in Allegany County, New York, July 5, 1826. He moved to Henry 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 757 

County, Illinois in 1844 and there he married Laura L. Burt, December 
5, 1850. Mrs. Famum was born in Niagara County, New York, Decem- 
ber 20, 1832. To their union eight children were bom, six of them still 
living: Willis, Frank, and Lemuel live at Canby, Minnesota; a daughter, 
now Mrs. Fred Swale, lives at Fredericksburg, Iowa; another daughter, 
Helen, is now Mrs. Monroe, living in South Dakota; and the youngest 
child. Bertha, is the widow of the subject of this sketch. 

William C. Famum was a veteran of the Civil War in which he 
served two years and four months. He was a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. In 1878 he moved to Iowa and in 1885 he went to 
Fredericksburg, Iowa, where he died November 29, 1898. Mrs. Farnum 
died August 11, 1900. 

To the union of W. W. and Bertha (Farnum) McFarland four chil- 
dren were born: the oldest child died in infancy; Fola L., died in 1918; 
Zatha D., living at home ; and W. Wyane, also living at home. 

Mrs. McFarland is a member of the United Brethern Church. Mr. 
McFarland was identified with the Baptist Church and was a republican 
in his political views. He was an enterprising and progressive man in 
his vocation with high ideals of his civic duty, a man who was highly 
esteemed for his integrity. 



J. D. Miller, well known as an enterprising farmer of Marion Town- 
ship, is now retired from active life and lives at the north edge of Eagle- 
ville. The Miller name is well known in this county, the parents of Mr. 
Miller having been early settlers here and Mr. Miller's two sons being 
attorneys in Bethany and Eagleville. 

J. D. Miller was bom in Lowell, Indiana, September 19, 1868, the 
son of Jacob A. and Melissa Ann (Hill) Miller to whom nine children 
were bom. Only three of them are now living: J. D., the subject of 
this review; a sister, Mrs. Gatley, of Louisburg, Kansas; and J. A., liv- 
ing in Geddes, South Dakota. 

Jacob A. Miller was born in New York, August 21, 1842. He was a 
farmer all of his life and has now retired and lives at Eagleville. He 
enlisted for service in the Civil War at Joliet, Illinois, in 1863 and was 
placed in Company A, 156th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He received 
his discharge in 1865 and in 1877 came to Harrison County and settled 
in Union Township. Mr. Miller with his wife and children, made the 
trip from Indiana to Missouri by wagon. They were twenty-one days 



758 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

on the road, fourteen days driving in the rain. Milissa Ann (Hill) 
Miller, born in Lowell, Indiana, November 12, 1845, died September 25, 
1880 and Mr. Miller married the second time in 1881. His second wife 
was Addie Bonner, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and to this union 
three children were born: Lloyd, living four miles west of Eagleville; 
Harry, a merchant, a review of whose life appears in this volume; and 
Iva, wife of Frank Matthews, of Fayette, Missouri. 

J. D. Miller attended the rural schools in his boyhood and later was 
in Stanbery College at Stanbery, Missouri, for six months. He farmed 
on rented land for three years and then bought a farm of 120 acres 
three miles southeast of Hatfield. He later sold that place and pur- 
chased land six miles southeast of Hatfield. He remained on this farm 
until 1910 when he moved to Eagleville where he owned a farm of eighty 
acres. This he later sold and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, but in 
1918 he returned to Eagleville and has made that place his home ever 
since. Mr. Miller has owned and sold 320 acres of land in this county. 

J. D. Miller was married February 7, 1889, to Myrtle B. Fletcher, 
born at Civil Bend, Missouri, and to this union three children were born: 
Charles A., prosecuting attorney of Harrison County, at Bethany; 
Le Roy, deceased; and George R., an attorney at Eagleville. Both of 
Mr. Miller's sons were teachers in the Missouri schools before they were 
admitted to the bar. 

Mr. Miller is identified with the Republican party in politics and has 
served as a member of the board of Hamilton Township. He has always 
been a man of enterprise and ambition and is a reliable citizen. 



George A. Powell, president of the Citizens Bank of Eagleville and 
a farmer and stockman of Colfax Township where he has land holdings 
of 480 acres has been a resident of Harrison County for many years and 
is a well known citizen here. 

G. A. Powell was born near Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, 
October 14, 1857. His parents were G. B. and Eliza (Saucer) Powell 
to whom four children were born. All of them are dead except G. A., 
the subject of this review. G. B. Powell was born in Hardin County, 
Kentucky, March 31, 1830. His parents, Abel and Miss (Turner) 
Powell, both natives of Kentucky, came to Illinois in 1835 and settled 
in Jo Daviess County on a farm. They both died in Illinois and their 
remains are buried there. They were the parents of three sons: Wil- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 759 

liam, deceased; G. B., now living with his son, the subject of this sketch; 
and Milton, deceased. 

In 1870, G. B. Powell came to Harrison County and settled in Lin- 
coln Township where he farmed until his retirement from active business 
life. He is a Republican and is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows lodge. He was married in 1854 to Eliza Saucer who was 
born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, in 1834. She died in 1911 and her 
remains are buried in the Eagleville Cemetery. She was a member of 
the Methodist Church. 

George A. Powell attended the district school in Illinois and was 
reared on a farm. When he was thirteen years old he came with his 
parents to Missouri where he has spent the remainder of his life. He 
owned a farm in Lincoln Township which he operated in partnership 
with his brother, Fred, for five years. This land is now owned by Earl 
Powell, a nephew of G. A. Powell. In 189-3 Mr. Powell bought the Heze- 
kiah Herring farm of 360 acres where he is living now. He has made 
extensive improvements on the place and has engaged in stock buying 
and selling in connection with general farming. In both lines of busi- 
ness, Mr. Powell has been both enterprising and successful. His home 
is located on the Jefferson High\vay two and one-half miles north of 
Eaglevile. 

G. A. Powell was married October 21, 1893 to Ida Gilbert, born in 
Tazewell County, Illinois, a daughter of John and Martha (Taylor) Gil- 
bert, both natives of Indiana. Mr. Gilbert is dead and his widow now 
lives in Tazewell County, Illinois. Mrs. Powell was a teacher in the 
rural schools of Illinois for several years before her marriage. To the 
union of G. A. and Ida (Gilbert) Powell two children were born : Lenore, 
a graduate of the State Teachers College at Kirksville and a teacher for 
a number of years, is now married to Myrh Magee, of Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia; and Fred, a graduate of the Eagleville High School, now em- 
ployed in a bank in Los Angeles, California. 

George A. Powell is a Republican and is a member of the Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons. In 1900 he assisted John Barber in the 
organization of the Citizens Bank at Eagleville. He is a stockholder in 
that institution and is also its president. His wide acquaintance in the 
county and his varied interests have made him a valuable officer in the 
bank. Mr. Powell has always been a progressive farmer and a far- 
sighted business man and is reckoned as one of the efficient and sub- 
stantial citizens of his community. 



760 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

William Warren Little, a well known farmer and stockman of Col- 
fax Township, is the owner of two farms and has a new, modern house 
on Jefferson Highway. He has 240 acres of land in Missouri and 60 
acres in Decatur County, Iowa. Mr. Little belongs to one of the pio- 
neer families of the county and has lived here since he was one and one- 
half years old. His father and mother were pioneers, first in Mi«souri, 
and later in Iowa and the family name has been well and favorably known 
in these two states for many years. 

W. W. Little was born near Madison, Wisconsin, April 25, 1855. His 
parents were James M. and Elizabeth Daliah (Forster) Little. They had 
eight children, five of whom are still living. James M. Little was born 
in Monroe County, Ohio, June 25, 1830. He went to Wisconsin in 1854 
and came to Harrison County in 1856 and rented land in Colfax Tow- 
ship for several years. During the Civil War he bought a farm in De- 
catur County, Fayette Township, Iowa which he operated until his 
death, February 11, 1896. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, April 10, 
1832 and died in California in 1912. 

William Warren Little attended the district school and grew up 
on the farm. His father was a invalid and had little to give his chil- 
dren. Mr. Little therefore started as a poor boy and began early to 
make his own way in the world. He helped break up the wild prairie 
land and worked hard for his success. He bought forty acres of land 
from his father in the fall of 1876 and added to this as he could until 
he completed the work of purchasing his present holdings. Mr. Little 
has been raising stock for many years and he attributes much of his 
success to that line of work. 

W. W. Little was married on November 8, 1877 to Martha C. Graham, 
bom in Wisconsin, March 11, 1859 and to this union five children were 
born: Mabel G., wife of Harry Wilcoxson of Colfax Township; Letha D., 
married to James Hart of Colfax Township ; Nora, wife of Henry Brooks, 
also living in Colfax Township; James Otis, living in Decatur County, 
Iowa; and Glenn G. of Colfax Tovsmship. Mrs. Little died September 14 
1916. On October 15, 1919 Mr. Little married Mae Lillian Graham, bom 
in Wayne Wisconsin, a cousin of Martha C. (Graham) Little. Mrs. Mae 
Lillian (Graham) Little is a graduate of the State University at Madison, 
Wisconsin and was a teacher for a number of years before her marriage. 
She was the head of the department of mathematics in the Wausau 
High School, Wausau, Wisconsin, for several years. Her parents were 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 761 

Charles W. and Margaret (Hay) Graham. Mr. Graham was a native 
of Jefferson County, Missouri and Mrs. Graham was born near Glasgow, 
Scotland. They lived in Warren, Illinois for many years and are now 
dead. Mr. Little has six grandchildren. 

Mr. Little is a Democrat and is identified with the United Brethern 
Church. He has served as a member of the school boai'd of District No. 
11 for twenty years. He is a man who has made a marked success in 
life by his own efforts. He was ambitious and determined and these 
qualities added to his integrity made possible the carrying out of his 
enterprises. 



R. F. Richardson, well known as an enterprising farmer of Colfax 
Township where he owns 240 acres of land, is a native of Harrison 
County. His family for three generations have been successful farmers 
here and Mr. Richardson received therefore a most efficient traning in 
all of the work that pertains to the successful operation of a farm while 
he was growing up. 

R. F. Richardson was born in Colfax Township, July 24, 1864. His 
parents were John B. and Abigail (Bridges)' Richardson whose chil- 
dren were: Charles, deceased; Mary E., wife of Silas Dale of Dallas, 
Texas; Albert L, deceased, a review of whose life appears in this vol- 
ume; R. F., the subject of this sketch; and Nettie, married to W. A. 
Fulkerson of Boise, Idaho. 

John B. Richardson was born in Hart County, Kentucky, in 1841 
and came to Harrison County w'hen he was a lad of thirteen with his 
parents, Paschal and Miss (Wardup) Richardson, both natives of Hart 
County, Kentucky. John B. JRichardson married Abigail Bi'idg'es in 
1860. She was bom in Indiana. They lived on their fann in Colfax 
Township and were successful in their work. Mr. Richardson was a 
republican in politics and served as justice of the peace in the township. 
He died in 1919 and his widow, now eighty-one years old, is living at 
Blythedale. 

R. F. Richardson attended the district school and was reared on 
the farm. He rented land from his father for the first two years after 
he started to work for himself. After his marriage he went to Eagle- 
ville where his father-in-law gave Mrs. Richardson seventy acres of 
land. This land Mr. Richardson sold two years later and bought eighty- 
three and one-half acres in Section Seventeen in Colfax Tovioiship. Five 



762 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

years later he sold this farm and in 1894 he bought his present farm of 
240 acres of land, eighty acres of which is timber. Mr. Richardson has 
made extensive improvements. He has operated a handle factory on 
his farm for several years. He installed a lathe which he uses to 
make the handles for axes, hammers and such tools, using only native 
timber for the handles. Mr. Richardson has achieved success in this 
work and now ships his products to many states in the union. 

R. F. Richardson was married December 25, 1887 to Lana Dale, 
born in Kentucky in 1867, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shir- 
ley) Dale, early settlers of this county and both now dead. To the 
union of R. F. and Lana (Dale) Richardson the following children were 
born: Earl, living in Colfax Township; Clair, also of Colfax Township; 
Ruth, at home with her father and the oldest child who died in infancy. 

Mr. Richardson is identified with the Republican party and is a 
member of the United Brethern Church. He was cashier of the Citizens 
Bank at Blythedale from 1911 to 1915 and is now a director of that 
institution. He has served his community in various official capacities 
and the fact that he has been frequently reelected attests to his effi- 
ciency. He was township collector in Colfax Township for six years; 
clerk and assessor for four years ; trustee for four years ; and is now 
serving as clerk and assessor. 

Since the death of his wife, February 9, 1919, Mr. Richardson's 
daughter, Ruth, has kept house for him. He is a man who has versatile 
abilities and wide range of interests, and in all of his activities he has 
been successful. 



E. E. Raskins, a prominent farmer and stockman of Colfax Town- 
ship, is of English parentage but has lived in Missouri for practically 
all of his life. He was born in Canada, February 22, 1874, the son of 
Myron J. and Helen (Simpson) Haskins. 

Myron J. Haskins was born in New York State, September 13, 1844 
and moved to Canada with his parents. On December 19, 1865 he was 
married to Helen Simpson, born in Prince Edward Province, Canada, 
March 16, 1848 and they came to Missouri with their family in 1880 
and located on the farm now owned by their son, E. E. Haskins. They 
were the parents of six children: Mabel C, wife of J. T. Whittig of Cald- 
well, Idaho; Charles E., of Lamoni, Iowa; Melvin E., living at Skiatook, 
Oklahoma; Mary H., died January 29, 1892; E. E., the subject of this 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 763 

review; and Roy E., now living at Lamoni, Iowa. Myron J. Haskins 
was a republican in politics and was a member of the Reorganized Church 
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was highly esteemed by the 
community where he lived and was elected to serve in various official 
capacities in the township. He was justice of the peace for a while and 
was a member of the township board. He was also an elder in the church 
with which he was identified. He died January 17, 1896. His widow 
died December 21, 1920. 

E. E. Haskins was only six years old when his parents came to 
Harrison County. He attended the district schools and began work for 
himself when he was twenty-two years old. He operated a part of 
the estate for his mother for a while, then rented a farm for a few 
years. In 1916 he bought 120 acres of land and later became heir to 
some land so that his holdings are now 319 acres, all well improved. Mr. 
Haskins raises Duroc hogs and has been successful in that work. 

On December 13, 1896 Mr. Haskins was married to Mabel Earley 
who was bom in Kewanee, Illinois, February 4, 1881. She was the 
daughter of William and Sarah (Whitehouse) Earley, both natives of 
England who left their native country in 1863 after their marriage. 
They settled first in Illinois but moved to Decatur County, Iowa in ISS*^* 
They also lived in this county for a short time. They were the parents 
of thirteen children, Mrs. Haskins being the twelfth child born to them. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Earley are dead and their remains are buried in 
Andover, Missouri. 

To the union of E. E. and Mabel (Earley) Haskins seven children 
vere born: Malcolm, trained for service in the World War at Camp 
i^unston, Kansas and later was in training in Detroit when the armis- 
vice was signed, now living in Colfax Township; Iva E., married to 
Garland Wendell, of Bethany; Miriam, wife of Everett Wilcoxson of 
Colfax Township; Clayton Boyd, died in infancy; and Velton, Crystal, 
and Arlo, are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Haskins have one grand- 
child. Fay Louise Haskins. 

E. E. Haskins is a republican and is a member of the Reorganized 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in which he is an elder. 
He is serving his third term as a justice of the peace and member of 
the township board. Mr. Haskins is a reliable and substantial citizen 
and an eflticient officer of his township. He is enterprising and pro- 
gressive in his work and can always be depended upon to further the 
cause of civic welfare. 



764 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

J. 0. Ballew, a prominent farmer and stockman of Hamilton Town- 
ship, is the owner of Hillsdale Stock Farm, embracing 280 acres of well 
improved land. Mr. Ballew belongs to one of the pioneer families of the 
county, his grandparents having entered land here from the government 
in early days. Mr. Ballew was born in Hamilton Township, March 8, 
1881, the son of George W. and Emira E. (Allen) Ballew. 

George W. Ballew was born in Howard County, Missouri, April 19, 
1846 and followed the vocation of farming all of his life. His parents 
were William W. and Mary Ann (Taylor) Ballew, both natives of Mis- 
souri. They came to Harrison County in 1883 and took up land in 
Union Township. This was unbroken prairie then and the land had 
to be broken up with teams of oxen. It meant a life of untiring effort 
but the pioneers were inured to toil and privation and found their happi- 
ness in their successful work on the land. 

Geoi'ge W. Ballew was married on December 4, 1870 to Emira E. 
Allen, born August 8, 1853 at Bethany, the daughter of Alston and 
Emily (Duncanson) Allen, the former born in Overton County, Tennessee 
and the latter in Livingston County, Kentucky. Mr. Allen was a car- 
penter and lived in Bethany where he and his wife reared a family of 
four children. One son is now dead. Mrs. Ballew is a member of the 
Christian church and now makes her home at Eagleville. George W. 
Ballew died May 28, 1910. 

To George W. and Emira E. (Allen) Ballew six children were born: 
N. B., a garage owner at Eagleville; J. 0., the subject of this review; 
Lewis, living in Union Township; Walter W., of Hamilton Township; 
Clarence, deceased; Bessie, wife of Jess Barrett of Independence, Mis- 
souri. 

J. 0. Ballew was reared on a farm and has been connected with 
farm affairs all of his life. He obtained his education in the rural 
schools and in 1902 bought his present fai*m where he has made ex- 
tensive improvements. He has built a new house which is equipped 
with electricity. For the last eight years Mr. Ballew has been inter- 
ested in the breeding of Percheron horses and jacks. In this line of 
work he has achieved a marked success; the jacks that he showed at 
the Harrison County Fair in 1919 won the first prize and the grand 
champion prize. 

J. 0. Ballew was married in February, 1901, to Grace Hunsicker, 
born in November, 1884, a daughter of Charles B. and Jemima (Loy) 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 765 

Hunsicker, of Hamilton Township. A sketch of the hfe of Mr. Hun- 
sicker may be found in this volume. To the union of J. 0. and Grace 
(Hunsicker) Ballew five children vi^ere born: Clyde, deceased; Mabel, 
Lucille, Carl and Roberta May, all at home. 

Mr. Ballew is a Republican in his political views and is a member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a reliable young man who 
is making a success of his undertakings because of his spirit of pro- 
gressiveness and his business foresight. 



D. H. McLain, a substantial farmer and stockman of Hamilton Town- 
ship and the owner of 265 acres of well improved land, is a native of 
Harrison County where he has spent all of his life. He was born in 
Clay Township, December 17, 1871. His parents were D. F. and Mamie 
(Sylvester) McLain. 

D. F. McLain was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 26, 1846 and was 
engaged in farming all of his life. After the close of the Civil War he 
came to Harrison County and settled in Clay Township where he bought, 
fed and shipped live stock in connection with his general farm work. 
He became a well known stockman of the community. He was married 
the first time in 1870 at Albany, Missouri, to Mamie Sylvester, born in 
Meigs County, Ohio, April 19, 1852. To this union three children were 
bom: D. H., the subject of this sketch; Hortense, deceased; and Finley, 
deceased. Mamie (Sylvester) McLain died in 1881 and Mr. McLain 
was married the second time in 1884 to Theodosia Sylvester, a sister of 
his first wife. Mr. McLain was a Democrat and a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He died May 30, 1898 and his widow 
now lives with D. H. McLain. 

D. H. McLain was reared in Clay Township and came to Hamilton 
Township in 1900 where he bought his present farm on which he has 
made several improvements. He has operated his farm with success 
and has dealt in stock also with success. 

D. H. McLain was married March 21, 1900, to Eva Greenwood, born 
in Clay Township, the daughter of Daniel and Hester (Marshall) Green- 
wood. Daniel Greenwood was born in Indiana and his wife was a native 
of Kentucky. They were the parents of thirteen children of whom eight 
grew to maturity. Mrs. McLain, the eighth child bom, was a twin. 
Daniel Greenwood and his wife were early settlers in this county. They 



766 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

lived on the Grand River and it was necessary to work hard to make a 
living for the family. To the union of D. H. and Eva (Greenwood) 
McLain four children were born: Dwight D., Ned N., Hugh H., and 
Paul D., all living at home. 

Mr. McLain is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Eagleville. He has served as col- 
lector and trustee of the township. Mr. McLain is a man who is highly 
esteemed in his community. He is an enterprising farmer and an 
efficient citizen. 



George I. Huitt, farmer and stockman of Hamilton Township, is the 
owner of 140 acres of well improved land and is well known in the town- 
ship as a man of integrity and industry. He was bom in Union Town- 
ship, this county, January 10, 1872. His parents were Israel and Susan 
Rebecca (Davis) Huitt. 

Israel Huitt was born in Ohio, March 29, 1850. He was a hard 
working farmer all of his life and always rented the land which he 
fanned. He lived in Iowa for a short time and came with his parents 
to Harrison County later. His father was Jefferson Huitt and he mar- 
ried a Miss Maxline. They settled in Washington Township and re- 
mained there. Israel Huitt, however, went west in the 70's and home- 
steaded land in Nebraska but soon returned to Harrison County. He 
married Susan Rebecca Davis who was bom in Union Township, April 
2, 1853. To their union eleven children were born, two of whom are 
now dead. George I., the subject of this review was the oldest child. 
Israel Huitt died in Hamilton Township, January 19, 1914 and his widow 
now resides at Eagleville. 

George I. Huitt attended the district schools of Iowa and Missouri. 
His first school was at Davis City, Iowa, where his parents lived for one 
year. He began work for himself as a farm hand at ten dollars a month. 
He continued to receive this salary for two years. In 1896 after his 
marriage he began operating rented land and in 1901 he moved to Hamil- 
ton Township where he bought his present farm in 1904. He has im- 
proved this land and, besides conducting a general farai, has raised stock 
with success. 

Mr. Huitt was married September 1, 1895 to Belle Harrold, born 
in Marion Township, May 21, 1878. She was the daughter of Jesse and 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 767 

Sarah C. (Preston) Harrold, the former a native of Indiana and the 
latter born in Ohio. They were married in Missouri after the close of 
the Civil War. Mr. HaiTold is a veteran of the Civil War and now hves 
on a farm in Marion Township. To the union of George I. and Belle 
(Harrold) Huitt six children were born, four of whom died in infancy. 
The remaining two are Gladys L. and Garland L., both living at home. 
Mr. Huitt is a Republican and is a member of the Christian Church. 
He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. Mr. Huitt is an 
enterprising man who has made his success in life entirely by his own 
efforts. Such men are always an asset to a community which they 
have helped build up. 



R. L. Martin, the owner of three farms, comprising 480 acres in 
Hamilton Township, is a native of Harrison County, where he was born 
in Colfax Township, April 27, 1858. The Martin name appears in the 
annals of the county in the early '50s when William D. Martin, father 
of the subject of this review, homesteaded land here. The Martin his- 
tory is therefore the story of the growth of the county from pioneer 
days to the present. 

William D. Martin was born in Tennessee, June 14, 1821. Upon 
coming to Harrison County he took up eighty acres of land in Colfax 
Township, later buying forty acres more. Here he fanned until his 
death in November 20, 1898. He was a well known man of his time 
and served his township as constable and road overseer for many years. 
He was married twice, the first time to Sarah Owens, a native of Barnes 
County, Kentucky. To this union seven children were born: Lucinda, 
was married and is now deceased; John W., deceased; Singleton W., 
deceased ; Nancy Jane, now Mrs. McCormick, of Pleasanton, Iowa ; a 
daughter who died in infancy; R. L., the subject of this sketch; and 
George W., deceased. Mrs. Martin died in 1865 and Mr. Martin then 
married Anna Owens, a cousin to his first wife, and to this union five 
children were born: Emmett, now living in Kansas; Fannie, now Mrs. 
H. Young, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Lena, married to Dean Creamer, 
of Eagleville ; Clara, deceased ; and Clarence, accidentally killed at his 
home in Iowa, near Lamoni, October 11, 1921. 

R. L. Martin grew up amidst the privations of the early life on the 
frontier and, during his life, has watched the country pass through the 



768 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

various stages of transmutation up to the present highly organized civic 
body that makes up the county. Mr. Martin is a practical and pro- 
gressive farmer. Of his three farms, he chose as a residence the one 
nearest a shipping point, Blythedale. He raises high grade Jersey 
Duroc hogs and Hereford cattle and has been successful in this line of 
work. 

Mr. Martin was married to Minnie B. Miller on April 2, 1892 and 
to this union four children were born: Murryl, Ralph, Ray and Harry, 
all living at home. 

Mr. Martin is a Republican and is a member of the modern Wood- 
men of America lodge. He is a stockholder in the Blythedale Creamery. 
He is a reliable citizen who is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens in 
the township. 



Charles Girdner, cashier of the First National Bank of Cainsville, is 
a member of a family whose name has been well known in Harrison 
County for three generations. His grandfather, Joseph Girdner, was a 
native of Kentucky, and came with his wife, Anna (Prichard) Girdner, 
to Missouri, settling here when the country was still wild prairie land 
and rearing a family of five boys and three girls on their home place 
in Mercer County. 

John R. Girdner, a son of Joseph and Anna (Prichard) Girdner, was 
born in Mercer County and grew to manhood on the farm. He owned a 
great deal of land and farmed for many years in Trail Creek Township. 
He also fed cattle. He married Mariah Isabelle Grandlee, a native of 
Pennsylvania. They are living now in Princeton. Their children were: 
George E., a lumber dealer of Cainsville, a sketch of whom appears in 
this volume; Jennie, deceased, was married to Stoton Boxley; Bessie M., 
now the wife of Fred Clements, of Princeton; Cleo, living with her par- 
ents at Princeton; and Charles, the subject of this review, who was the 
third child born to his parents. 

Charles Girdner was bom in Trail Creek Township, Harrison County, 
five miles south of Cainsville, September 14, 1878 and was reared on the 
farm. He attended the Ross district school and the Princeton High 
School and, in 1904, he entered the Eastman Business College at Pough- 
keepsie. New York, and later graduated there. He came home and 
farmed until the organization of the First National Bank when he ac- 
cepted a position in it. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 769 

The First National Bank of Cainsville was organized September 13, 
1906 with a capital stock of $25,000.00. The bank has maintained the 
same capital stock and has a surplus of $20,000.00 and undivided profits 
of $7,000.00. The building in which the business is done is owned by 
the bank and the stockholders are farmers of Harrison County and busi- 
ness men of Cainsville. The officers were: J. R. Girdner, president; 
A. J. Bush, vice president; R. W. Boeger, cashier; Charles Girdner, 
assistant cashier. 

Charles Girdner was made the cashier of the bank in 1907 and has 
retained that position ever since. He owns lands in Harrison County 
and also in North Dakota. His land interests combined with his 
thorough training in business have given him an unusual opportunity 
to help build up the institution with which he is connected. 

Mr. Girdner was married on September 18, 1908 at Cainsville to 
Daisy G. Wilson who was born and reared at Cainsville. She is the 
. daughter of George R. and Rhoda B. (Woodward) Wilson, pioneers of 
Harrison County and both living now at Cainsville. Mr. and Mrs. Gird- 
ner have no children. 

Mr. Girdner is an independent Democrat in politics. He is a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of the Modem Woodmen 
of America and of the Yeoman Lodge. He is an enterprising young man 
who is proving successful in business. 



O. S. Baker, an enterprising and reliable farmer of Marion Town- 
ship has lived in Harrison County since his childhood. He was born 
in Edgar County, Illinois, January 30, 1881, the youngest of five chil- 
dren born to Thomas J. and Rosa (Sifl'erman) Baker. The other chil- 
dren were: Low, deceased; Oil, retired and living at Ridgeway; Minnie, 
wife of Henry Lindsey of Marion Township; and Harvey, now living in 
the southern part of Missouri. 

Thomas J. Baker was born on a farm in Pickaway County, Ohio. 
He was later a farmer in Edgar County, Illinois and in 1893 he came 
to Harrison County and located three miles south of Eagleville. He was 
a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in Ohio in the volunteer 
infantry. He was vdth Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. Mr. 
Baker retired from active life on his farm and went to Ridgeway to 
live about three years before his death which occurred in 1914, when 
(44) 



770 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

he was sixty-seven years old. After the death of his first wife, Rosa 
Sifferman Baker, a native of south Missouri, whose death occurred when 
she was thirty-two years old, Mr. Baker married the second time. His 
second wife was Alice Drake, a native of Indiana, now living at Ridge- 
way. To this second union four children were born: Ethel, married to 
Burr Pointer and living in New Mexico; Lavilla, wife of Hersey Good- 
win, of Ridgeway; Howard, a resident of Ridgeway; and Elsie, living at 
home. 

0. S. Baker was reared on a faiTn and attended the district schools. 
He started work for himself when he was a young man and bought land 
southeast of Eagleville in 1906. He improved his land, going into debt 
for the eighty acres. After he paid out on the land he sold it and in 
1915 he bought his present farm of 120 acres which he has now im- 
proved. He has ten acres of his farm in orchard. 

Mr. Baker was married December 25, 1904 to Flora Buntin, a native 
of Harrison County, the daughter of Greenburg Buntin, a farmer who 
was prominent in the politics of the county, now deceased. 

Mr. Baker is a Republican in politics. He is a substantial young 
man, industrious and capable, who is making a success of his farm. 



R. J. Goodrich, one of the public spirited men of Cainsville who has 
devoted much time to matters pertaining to community improvement, 
was born in Grundy County, September 10, 1869, the son of Martin and 
Amanda (Johnson) Goodrich. 

Martin Goodrich was born in Missouri, his parents having moved 
from Vermont to Macon County, Missouri. Here Martin Goodrich was 
reared on a farm. He died in Grundy County at the age of thirty-five. 
His wife, Amanda (Johnson) Goodrich was born in Yorkshire, England 
and came to the United States when she was only a child. After the 
death of Mr. Goodrich she married John Williams. She died at Beloit, 
Kansas. To the union of Martin and Amanda (Johnson) Goodrich the 
following children were born: Carrie, married to Henry Maxey and now 
deceased ; R. J., the subject of this review ; and Nellie, deceased. 

R. J. Goodrich grew up in Grundy County and near Lansing, Mich- 
igan. He attended the public school at Trenton, Missouri and took a 
business course at Moberly. Later he was a student in the Kentucky 
School of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated there in 1893. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 771 

He located in Mt. Moriah, Missouri, and practiced his profession there 
for twelve years. In 1906 he moved to Cainsville and went into the drug 
business which business he has since conducted with marked success. 

Doctor Goodrich was married June 16, 1894 to Addie Jones whose 
home was near Moberly, Missouri. To this union the following children 
were born: Gladys, now the wife of Raymond Allison of Quincy, Illi- 
nois; Wilbur J., now with his father in the drug store; and Charles R., 
living at home. 

Doctor Goodrich is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the 
Christian Church of which he is the treasurer. He is also a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He helped promote and 
organize the P'armers Telephone Company of Hari'ison County and is 
now the vice president, auditor and a director in that company. He has 
served as a member of the city council and the township board and has 
given freely of both his time and financial aid to the good roads move- 
ment in the county. Doctor Goodrich merits the esteem in which he is 
held in the town and community thereabouts. 



Frank Sobotka, well known farmer and stockman of Madison Town- 
ship, is the owner of 179 acres of land and all of it is well improved. 
Mr. Sobotka is a dairyman and a breeder of Jersey cattle and has been 
successful in his enterprises. 

Frank Sobotka was born in Madison Township, Harrison County, 
January 14, 1869, the son of Joseph and Anastazie (Klubka) Sobotka. 
Joseph Sobotka was born in Bohemia in the Austrian Empire, August 
16, 1836, the son of John and Annie (Santrucek) Sobotka, both of whom 
died in their native country, February 19, 1848. Joseph Sobotka became 
a butcher and on December 25, 1858 he opened a meat market in his 
native land. He left Bohemia and came to the United States in 1867. 
Here he settled in Harrison County, Missouri. He rented land near 
Cainsville and later conducted a meat market. Afterwards he bought 
land and at one time owned 400 acres. He died at Diagonal, Iowa, July 
3, 1892. Joseph Sobotka was married twice: the first time was in 
Bohemia to Anastazie Klubka in 1859. To this union seven children 
were born, two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Emanuel, 
living at Diagonal, Iowa; Joseph F., near Diagonal, Iowa; John, Little 
Rock, Arkansas; Frank, the subject of this sketch; and Charles, living 



772 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

near to his brother Frank. Anastazie (Klubka) Sobotka died in 1888 
and Joseph Sobotka married the second time Mary Rychonovsky, now 
deceased. To this second marriage no children were born. 

Frank Sobotka was reared on the farm and attended school in Lin- 
coln, Nebraska, and Shenandoah, Iowa. In April, 1898, he enlisted for 
service in the Spanish War. He was assigned to Company I, First 
Nebraska United States Volunteers Infantry and went to the Philippine 
Islands. He remained in the service for eighteen months and was dis- 
charged at San Francisco, California in 1899. He was in the following 
engagements during his service: Capture of the city of Manila, August 
2-5; the Philippine Insurrection, August 13, 1899; Santa Mesa and De- 
posito, February 4, 5; Santolan Pumping Station, February 6; Mariquina 
Road, March 5, 6; San Francisco del Monte, March 25; Novaliches River, 
March 26; Marilo River, March 27; Grugunto and Santa Maria, March 
29; battle near Malolos, March 30, 1899; capture of Malolos, March 31; 
Quinga, April 23; Bagbag River, April 24; San Tomas and San Fern- 
ando, May 4, 1899. Mr. Sobotka was a corporal from April 27, 1898 
until December 25, 1898 and was a quartermaster sergeant from De- 
cember 26, 1898 to August 23, 1899. 

After his return from the war, Mr. Sobotka taught school in some 
of the Nebraska counties and for a time was principal of the Imperial, 
Nebraska, High School. Several years before this time, in 1894, he had 
taught in Harrison County, Missouri, and in 1901 he came back and 
taught a district school. That same year, however, he began farming 
and improving land and in 1914 he began the breeding of pure bred Jer- 
sey cattle. 

Mr. Sobotka married Rose Brower on September 15, 1901. Mrs. 
Sobotka was born in Madison Township, the daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Beardsley) Brower, the former a native of North Carolina and the 
latter of Ohio. Elizabeth Beardsley's father was from New York. She 
was born in Medina County, Ohio, 1845. In 1852 the family moved to 
Tazewell County, Illinois. In 1864, she moved with her father to Har- 
rison County, Missouri, by wagon, she driving one of the teams all the 
way. John Brower was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, in 
1838 and was a farmer by occupation. He came to Missouri and enlisted 
for service in the Civil War on October 15, 1861 in Company I, Twenty- 
third Regiment Infantry, Missouri Volunteers. He served for three 
years. He was with Sherman on the March to the Sea and was dis- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 773 

charged at Savannah, Georgia, December 29, 1864. He reenlisted, but 
was discharged shortly afterwards. Mr. Brower was at Washington for 
the Grand Review at the close of the Civil War. 

To the marriage of Frank and Rose (Brower) Sobotka the follow- 
ing children were born: Esther; Mark; Paul was accidentally injured 
in his thirteenth year by a horse and died six days later; Ralph, Helen, 
George, Elizabeth; and Randall and Russell, twins. 

Mr. Sobotka is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist 
Church. He is also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 
He has been a member of the township board and is now serving on 
the School Board No. 59. Mr. Sobotka is a reliable man who has the 
esteem of his community. 



Lowell A. Glaze, osteopathic physician and ophthalmologist of Cains- 
ville, belongs to a family that has been well known in Harrison County 
since the early days when his grandfather, Samuel H. Glaze, took up 
land here. 

Samuel H. Glaze was born in Virginia, November 16, 1816 and mar- 
ried Sarah Millburn who was born in Pennsylvania, August 22, 1815. 
She died September 6, 1885 and her husband died May 13, 1907. They 
were the parents of nine children of whom Daniel R., the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was the youngest. He was born in Harrison 
County, February 8, 1860, was reared on the farm and later in life 
entered the commercial field. He owned a drug store, a grocery store, 
and a hardware store in Cainsville at various times. After handling the 
last named for several years he retired from active business and now 
lives at Cainsville. He still retains the old home place first owned by 
his father. Daniel R. Glaze was mairied twice; the first time to Mary 
Elizabeth Cochran, a native of Madison Township in this county. She 
died in November, 1888. To their union three children were born: 
Erben F., deceased; Lowell A., the subject of this review; and Ti-uman 
D., a teacher in the schools of Columbia, Missouri. Daniel R. Glaze was 
married the second time in 1890 to Amelia Clayborn and to this union 
two daughters were born: Chloe A., deceased; and Joye I., married to 
Hall Baker and living on the home place. 

Lowell A. Glaze was born at Cainsville, February 5, 1885, was reared 
here, attended the public school and later went to Missouri Wesleyan 



774 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

College at Cameron, Missouri. He was at home for a while, conducting 
the work on 700 acres of land. In 1911 he went to Kirksville and 
worked for an uncle, L. D. Cochran, in the implement business, remain- 
ing there about two years. He then accepted a position as manager of 
a garage at Kirksville and in 1914 he entered the American School of 
Osteopathy. The next year he entered the Waggoner School of Oph- 
thalmology and graduated from both schools at Kirksville, July 2, 1917. 
He located at Cainsville and at once began the practice of his profession. 
He has built up a large clientage and is successful in his work. 

Doctor Glaze was married March 29, 1909 to Harriet Biddison, who 
was born at Leon, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Miss (Richardson) 
Biddison. Mr. Biddison was a merchant at Cainsville for a number of 
years, having located here when his daughter was about thirteen years 
old. He was intensely interested in the betterment of Cainsville and 
worked hard for all civic enterprises. He is now living retired at Leon, 
Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Glaze had two children: the older died in infancy; 
the younger is a son, Wilbur C, born April 6, 1912. 

Doctor Glaze is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and the Yeoman lodges. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, an order in which his paternal grandfather was much interested. 
Doctor Glaze is one of the progressive and popular young men of Cains- 
ville, an asset to his profession and to the community. 



Earl C. Young, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Madison 
Township, is the owner of 210 acres of land on which he does general 
farming and breeds Spotted Poland-China hogs and Hereford cattle. Mr. 
Young was born on the farm where he now lives, October 18, 1893. His 
parents were Caleb and Clara (Lilly) Young to whom four children were 
born, as follows: Rosa Anna, now the wife of Francis Johnson of Madi- 
son Township; Cora, deceased, was married to Leonard Francis; Lilly, 
the wife of Wesley Hallock of Grant Township; and Earl C, the subject 
of this review. 

Caleb Young was born in Madison Township, the son of Frederick 
and Jerusha (Stoner) Young, the former a native of Germany and the 
latter of Ohio. They were early settlers of Harrison County, where they 
homesteaded land, adding to the original holding until, at the time of his 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 775 

death, Frederick Young was the owner of several hundred acres. Caleb 
Young died in 1895 at the age of forty-five years, and his wife, who was 
also a native of Madison Township, died in 1917 at the age of fifty-one 
years. 

Earl C. Young received his education in the district schools and spent 
three years in the Ridgeway High School. He has always farmed on the 
home place which he bought in 1914 in partnership with his sister, Lilly. 
In 1916 Mr. Young bought his sister's interest in the place, and has made 
some improvement on the farm since that time. 

Mr. Young was married February 17, 1917, to Fay Smith, who was 
born in Grant Township, the daughter of Lynus and Mollie (Rakestraw) 
Smith, now living on their farm in the northeast corner of Grant Town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Young have one child, Gerald E. 

Mr. Young is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Christian 
Church. He is an industrious and progressive young man who is making 
a success of his work. 



Charley Sobotka, well known over Harrison County as a successful 
farmer and breeder of Jersey cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, is the owner 
of 280 acres of well improved land on which he farms and raises stock. 

Mr. Sobotka was born on the farm where he now lives, February 24, 
1876. He was the seventh child of Joseph and Anastazie (Klubka) 
Sobotka, sketches of whose lives appear in connection with the review 
of the life of Frank Sobotka, a brother of the subject of this sketch. 

Charley Sobotka has always lived on the farm where he now re- 
sides. He attended the district school of the county and later was a 
student in the Western Normal at Shenandoah, Iowa. When he was 
twenty-two years old he went to work for himself. His father, a well 
known farmer of Madison Towaiship, gave him eighty acres of land and 
on this land Charley Sobotka at once began making improvements. He 
added land to the original tract from time to time, the last addition 
being in 1917. In 1918 he built a two story house which is modern in 
equipment. He began handling pure bred cattle in 1910 and had begun 
breeding Duroc Jersey hogs two years before. Mr. Sobotka and the 
three sons who are with him are all energetic, industrious men and are 
making a marked success of their work. 

On September 30, 1899, Mr. Sobotka was married to Anna Rouse of 
Princeton, Missouri, daughter of John and Anna (Mlika) Rouse both 



776 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

of whom were born in Bohemia and are residents of Princeton, Mercer 
County, Missouri. To this union three children were born: Edward E., 
Walter J. and Arnold C, who are all living- at home with their father. 
On September 3, 1914, his wife Anna departed to the world beyond and 
was laid to rest in the Bohemian Cemetery. On October 22, 1915, Mr. 
Sobotka was married to Lillie Rouse, of Princeton, Missouri, a sister to 
his first wife. 

Mr. Sobotka is a Democrat in politics and is known as a good citizen, 
ready to help any movement for the public good. Mr. Sobotka has 
conducted several private sales of his stock and has been very success- 
ful in this enterprise. 

Mrs. Sobotka has charge of the poultry business of the farm and 
has been very successful in breeding up a large flock of pure bred White 
Wyandotte chickens and also Bourbon Red turkeys. 



H. T. Rogers, cashier of the Cainsville Bank, is a member of one 
of the pioneer families of Missouri. His father, T. G. Rogers, was born 
in Clay County, Kentucky, in 1841. His parents were George H. and 
Nancy (Robinson) Rogers, both natives of North Carolina. They were 
among the intrepid men and women who came, in the trying days of 
1847, to build homes in the practically unpeopled state of Missouri. They 
settled in Daviess County and helped found the stable community that 
soon existed there. Their son, T. G. Rogers, father of the subject of 
this sketch, began working for himself by clerking in a store belonging 
to his brother-in-law, M. Moss. The two men continued in partnership 
in various towns in Missouri and in 1879, Mr. Rogers came to Cains- 
ville and entered into a business partnership with John Hall. The firm 
was later known as Rogers and Wilson. 

T. G. Rogers was married to Eleanor 0. Chambers of Mercer County 
in 1861. She died March 4, 1902 at the age of fifty-four and her hus- 
band died June 15, 1910. They had only one son, H. T., the subject of 
this review. 

H. T. Rogers was reared in Cainsville; he attended the Cainsville 
High School and the Bryant Commercial School at St. Joseph, Missouri. 
He was a clerk in his father's general store at Cainsville until 1887, 
when he went into mercantile business independently at Cainsville. He 
later sold this business and accepted a position as assistant cashier in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 777 

the Cainsville Bank where he succeeded to the position of cashier after 
the death of C. B. Woodward. Mr. Rogers was one of the group of 
men who organized the Cainsville Bank in 1883. He owns 400 acres 
of land in Harrison and Mercer counties and, because of his varied inter- 
ests in mercantile pursuits, in farming, and in business, he has been 
more than ordinarily successful in his work in connection with the 
Cainsville Bank. 

H. T. Rogers was married May 12, 1887 to Maggie C. Burrows who 
was born October 28, 1867 on a fann near Cainsville in Mercer County. 
She is the daughter of Joseph H. and Mary A. (Shaw) Burrows. Her 
father was bom May 15, 1840, in Manchester, England, the son of 
Thomas and Mary (Pendlington) Burrows, who came to the United States 
in 1842 and settled at Keokuk, Iowa. Mary (Pendlington) Burrows died 
on the trip up the Mississippi River. Joseph H. Burrows worked for 
his uncle in the latter's brick yard in Quincy, Illinois, for a while and 
later became a clerk in a general store. In 1862 he came to Cainsville 
and in 1867 he was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. In 1870 
he was elected a representative to the State Legislature. After hav- 
ing been reelected several times, he retired from political life and took 
up his duties in the church. He was a very fluent speaker and a suc- 
cessful minister. He died April 28, 1918. 

Two children were born to the union of H. T. Rogers and Maggie 
C. (Burrows) Rogers; Eva, now the wife of 0. R. Booth of Cainsville; 
and Burrows living at home. 

Mr. Rogers is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Baptist 
Church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is one of 
the successful men who have helped to build up Harrison County. 



C. I. Jincks, farmer and stockman of Madison Township, was born 
February 17, 1857, on the farm which he now owns, the son of Elisha H. 
and Phoebe (Taylor) Jincks. The Jincks name appears early in the his- 
tory of the county, where Elisha H. Jincks came when the land was in the 
hands of the Indians and before there was any evidence of the present 
highly developed industrial and commercial life. 

Elisha H. Jincks was born near Cleveland, Ohio, and migrated first 
to Livingston County, Missouri, and then came to Harrison County, where 
he entered the land which now is comprised in the farm owned by his 



778 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

son, C. I. Jincks. Elisha H. Jincks was a versatile man who adapted him- 
self well to the trying times of the pioneers when, in oi'der to succeed, one 
man must do many things. Mr. Jincks studied law and was a justice of 
the peace; he was a physician before the Civil War; and was an active 
minister of the United Brethren Church. He belonged to intrepid stock; 
his ancestors also were pioneers. His father, Ichabod Jincks, was born 
in the New England States, the son of parents who were natives of Ire- 
land. Ichabod Jincks was a soldier and captain in the Revolutionary War 
and came west and entered land in Madison Township, where he later 
died. Ichabod Jincks' wife, Elizabeth (Herrington) Jincks, was a native 
of Virginia and her parents were born in England. Ichabod Jincks and 
his wife made the trip from Ohio to Missouri in a wagon, bringing with 
them their son, Elisha H. Elisha H. Jincks died in Madison Township in 
1897 at the age of eighty years. 

Elisha H. Jincks was married to Phoebe Taylor, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who was born May 28, 1834, and died at Ridgeway, Missouri, Jan- 
uary 2, 1912. To this union the following children were born: C. I., the 
subject of this sketch; William W., deceased; Benjamin B., deceased; 
John, deceased; Betsey Jane, deceased, married twice, the first time to 
Andrew Stiner and the second time to William Baker; and an infant, the 
oldest child, deceased in infancy. 

C. I. Jincks has always lived on a farm and has worked occasionally 
at carpentering. He attended the district schools and later inherited 
some land to which he added from time to time, until he now owns 185 
acres all well improved. He has made several exhibits of farm products 
at the Harrison County Fair and is known as an enterprising farmer. 

Mr. Jincks was married in 1878 to Susan Rake, who was born in 
Kansas and died at her home in Beaver County, Oklahoma, in 1906, and 
is buried in the Guymon Cemetery. To this union twelve children were 
born: Phoebe L., deceased; Margaret L., deceased in 1913, had been 
married to S. E. Richardson and left a family of seven children ; Gertrude 
L., now the wife of George Richardson, living in Madison Township; 
Calvin Clifford, at home; Fred E., married to Julia Harper and living in 
Mercer County; Irvin H., a veteran of the World War living at home; 
Stella, at home; Dennis, a brief account of whom appears later; Lyman, 
was at Camp Funston, married to Ruth Harper and now living in Mercer 
County near Cainsville; and Josie, Mary, and Viola, all living at home. 
Dennis Jincks entered the service for the World War on October 2, 1917, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 779 

and was sent to Camp Funston and assigned duty as a cook. He was 
trained here until October 13, 1918, when he went overseas and was in 
service there until his return to the United States on July 4, 1919. He 
is now living at home. 

C. I. Jincks is a Republican and is a member of the Baptist Church 
and is a deacon. Mr. Jincks is an energetic man who stands well in the 
esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens. 



R. E. Johnson, a well known farmer and stockman of Madison Town- 
ship, has 120 acres of land on which he farms during the season, and 
has property in Ridgeway, where he spends the winters. 

Mr. Johnson was born in Mercer County, Missouri, August 16, 1864, 
the son of Joseph and Nancy (Stanley) Johnson to whom nine children 
were born, six boys and three girls, R. E. being the youngest. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnson were born in Virginia, grew up there, and were married 
there. They came to Mercer County after their marriage and settled on 
a farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. Joseph Johnson 
died in 1865 at the age of fifty-six and his widow afterwards married 
Samuel Hammock. They are both now deceased. 

R. E. Johnson attended the district schools of Mercer County, helped 
on his father's farm, and began farming for himself on rented land in 
Mercer County. He continued this work until 1892 when he bought his 
present farm in Harrison County. Mr. Johnson has been successful in 
his work, his land is highly productive, and has been well operated by 
the owner. 

Mr. Johnson was married in March, 1889, to Anna M. Young, a daugh- 
ter of Fred M. and Jerusha (Stoner) Young, mention of whom appears 
in the sketch of Earl C. Young in this Volume. To the union of R. E. 
and Anna M. (Young) Johnson the following children were born: Grace, 
deceased ; Fred D., mentioned again at the close of this sketch ; Ruby F., 
living at home ; Clarence, and Charles R., both at home. Fred D. Johnson 
is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted and was in service on the 
Mexican border. Later he returned home and was transferred to the 
navy and was sent to the Great Lakes Training Station. He has crossed 
the ocean seventeen times and has seen most of the world. On one occa- 
sion his ship was torpedoed at sea; he, with three of his mates, were 
the only survivors; they drifted in the lifeboats for twenty-one days, and 
were finally picked up off the coast of Ireland, after the most intense suf- 



780 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

fering from the lack of food and water. Fred Johnson now lives in Shan- 
non County, where he is a farmer. 

R. E. Johnson is a Democrat but votes independently of party affilia- 
tions. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has been a director in 
the White Oak Church of the Baptist denomination for many years. Mr. 
Johnson has succeeded in life because of his energy and determination 
in the face of difficulties. He is an estimable citizen of his community. 



Jerry Posler is a well known farmer and stockman of Madison Town- 
ship who has achieved success in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. 
Posler was born in Madison Township, July 30, 1883. His father, John 
Posler, belonged to sturdy Bohemian stock and was one of the men who 
migrated to the United States during the turbulent period of Austrian 
history. 

John Posler was born in Luze, Bohemia, November 1, 1823, the son 
of Wencl and Annie Posler of Bohemia. Wencl Posler was a soap manu- 
facturer who died in his native land at the age of fifty-eight years. His 
widow came with her son, John, to the United States and died at the age 
of seventy-one years. John Posler was a carpenter but never followed 
that occupation. He clerked in the city court in Bohemia for six years 
and served in the rebellion against the Austrian Empire. After he came 
to the United States he went to Wisconsin in 1850 and to Iowa in 1857. 
He came to Harrison County shortly after and made his home here until 
his death on March 2, 1911. He served in the Civil War for one year as 
a member of Company F, 27th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was 
under Captain Clark and was in the siege of Vicksburg and the Battle 
of Jackson. For nearly two years he was a veteran of the Reserve Corps. 
After his transfer he began farming and in 1866 he returned to Europe 
to get his mother and sister, Josephine, whom he brought back to the 
United States. They are both deceased. John Posler was a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 216, at Cainsville. He was a Re- 
publican in politics and was a student of the languages, speaking English, 
Bohemian and German fluently, and having a reading knowledge of French 
and Latin. 

John Posler was married in 1872 to Anna Skakal, a native of Bohemia. 
She died September 18, 1900, and her husband died March 2, 1911. The 
remains of both are buried in the Bohemian Cemetery in Madison Town- 
ship. To John and Anna (Skakal) Posler the following children were 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 781 

born: John, now a resident of St. Louis; Joseph, now living on the old 
home place in Madison Township; and Jerry, the subject of this review. 

Jerry Posler received his education in Cainsville at the public school 
and in the Banner District School. He farmed his father's homestead for 
eighteen years and then bought eighty acres of his present farm. He 
added to the first tract from time to time and now owns a farm of 102 
acres on which he does general farming and raises stock. In 1910 he 
began breeding Shorthorn cattle and usually has sixteen head on hand. 

Mr. Posler was married February 12, 1907, to Anna Lisa, who was 
born in Harrison County, the daughter of John and Frances (Dostalj 
Lisa, both natives of Bohemia and early settlers of Missouri. They came 
to Harrison County in 1882 and now live in Madison Township. To the 
union of Jerry and Anna (Lisa) Posler three children have been born: 
an infant, deceased; Pauhne, born February 20, 1911; and Glen L., born 
January 6, 1918. 

Jerry Posler is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist Church. 
He is a member of the Madison Township Board and is the president of 
the School Board of District No. 4. Mr. Posler is an industrious young 
man who is making a success of his enterprises. 



C. A. Francis is a well known dairyman and farmer of Madison Town- 
ship, the owner of 136 acres of land, and a resident of Harrison County 
since his early childhood. He was born in Davis County, Iowa, November 
29, 1873. His parents were Calvin and Susanna (Baker) Francis, who 
became the parents of nine children, all but two of whom grew to maturity. 
C. A. Francis is the youngest of the children. 

Calvin Francis was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1835, and was 
reared in Licking County, Ohio. He married Susanna Baker in Ohio. 
She was a native of Licking County. They moved to Iowa and settled 
in Davis County before the Civil War and in 1877 they came to Harrison 
County and settled on a farm in Marion Township. Mr. Francis retired 
from farming and went back to Iowa to live. He died in 1910 while on a 
visit in Harrison County. His wife died in 1901 at the age of seventy 
years. 

C. A. Francis attended the district schools of the county and grew 
to manhood on the farm. In 1901 he registered for land in Oklahoma 
and improved two claims there, a homestead, and a school claim. He 



782 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

stayed in Oklahoma for seven years and sold his land there in 1908. He 
returned to Harrison County and bought his present farm upon which 
he has put improvements, building a house, a barn, and other farm struc- 
tures. He cleared off thirty-five acres of heavily timbered land and the 
tract is now producing corn and other grains. 

Mr. Francis has been married twice; the first time in September, 
1894, to Clara Landis, a daughter of Daniel Landis of Harrison County. 
To this union two children were born : Glen, now living in Mercer County ; 
and Willis, of Harrison County. Mrs. Francis died in June, 1898 and Mr. 
Francis was married the second time in 1899 to Luvena Milburn, born in 
Harrison County, the daughter of William and Martha (Johnson) Mil- 
burn, now living in Boise City, Idaho. To this second union seven chil- 
dren were born, only three of whom are now living. They are: Marie, 
the wife of Elijah Thompson of Mercer County ; Edity, married to Harvey 
Sharp of Harrison County; and Alva, living at home. 

Mr. Francis is a Republican and is a member of the Christian Church. 
He is a reliable and efl[icient member of the community and has the esteem 
of his fellow citizens. 



C. R. Bain, farmer and stockman of Madison Township, has been on 
a farm all of his life and is now the owner of 160 acres of well improved 
land. 

Mr. Bain is a native of Harrison County. He was born February 6, 
1867, the son of Manlove and Margaret (McDaniel) Bain to whom eight 
children were born, only four of whom are now living. They are : Rebecca, 
the wife of D. L. Roberts of Blythedale; Eli S., living with his brother, 
C. R. ; Oliver M., with C. R. ; and C. R., the subject of this review. After 
the death of Margaret (McDaniel) Bain, Mr. Bain married Mrs. (Roberts) 
Pitzel and to this union three children were born, as follows: Walter A., 
on the home place; Charlotte, deceased, married Ernest Still; and Guy, 
deceased. 

Manlove Bain was a native of North Carolina, where he was born 
September 21, 1828. He came to Harrison County just at the close of 
the Civil War in 1865, and located on a farm in Madison Township. He 
died in 1899. His first wife, Margaret (McDaniel) Bain was bom in Mor- 
gan County, Indiana, and died in Missom'i in 1877. 

C. R. Bain was educated in the district schools of the county and 
grew up on the farm. He began working for himself when he was young 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 783 

and rented land for farming for seven years. In 1894 he bought his 
present farm and has made all the improvements on it. He has been 
much interested in the education of his children and lived in Cainsville 
so they could attend school there. 

Mr. Bain was married in 1891 to Mary E. Hall, a daughter of William 
and Elizabeth (Elliott) Hall. William Hall was a native of Maryland and 
his wife was born in Kentucky. They came to Madison Township and 
lived here many years. They both died here. To the marriage of C. R. 
and Mary E. (Hall) Bain the following children were born: Hazel L., 
graduated from the Cainsville High School with high honors and is now 
a teacher in the Harrison County schools ; Flossie, deceased ; Manlove 0., 
living at home; Claude W., graduated from the Cainsville High School 
as valedictorian of the class of 1920, and began teaching in 1921 ; Lois G. 
and Charles Lee, both at home. Claude W. Bain rode a pony to school, 
a distance of six miles, during the entire time he attended school and 
was tardy only once in the four years. 

C. R. Bain is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. 
He is now serving on the Madison Township Board. Mr. Bain is a citizen 
who stands well in his community, both for his enterprising disposition 
and for his high standards of civic welfare. 



Coy E. Baker is an enterprising and practical farmer and stockman, 
living in Madison Township. He was born February 17, 1883, the fifth 
child of W. C. and Sarah Ann (Glaze) Baker, sketches of whose lives 
appear in this volume. Both the Baker and the Glaze names are con- 
nected with the early history of Harrison County where the families 
were early settlers and helped materially in the rapid development of 
their respective communities. 

Coy E. Baker received his education in the school of District No. 58 
and received practical training on his father's farm where he remained 
with his parents until the time of his marriage. His father deeded him 
280 acres of land for a gift and together they built a new, modem house. 
In 1921, Coy E. Baker started a dairy business in which he has been suc- 
cessful. He bought pure bred Guernsey cattle from Whitewater, Wis- 
consin, to start his herd and the strain has been kept pure. He is a 
shareholder in the Blythedale Farmers Cooperative Creamery, an organ- 
ization which has been promoted and maintained in a very successful way. 



784 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Mr. Baker was married March 18, 1915 to Nellie V. Hefner. Mrs. 
Baker was born in Jefferson Township, October 26, 1884, the daughter of 
S. H. and Mary (Milligan) Hefner, the former a native of West Virginia 
and the latter of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Hefner are now living on a 
farm five miles north of Bethany. To the union of Coy E. and Nellie V. 
(Hefner) Baker the following children have been born: Virginia Reah, 
Ferris Coy, and Frances May. 

Mr. Baker is identified with the Republican party in politics and is a 
member of the Methodist Church. He is a young man who has carried 
on worthily the ideals of progress and civic improvement established by 
his ancestors in earlier days. 



William Grouse is the owner of 160 acres of well improved land in 
Lindley Township, Mercer County and is well known as a successful 
breeder of Shorthorn cattle, Belgian horses and Mammoth jacks which 
phase of farming he began in 1920. 

Mr. Grouse was bom in Madison Township in Harrison County, April 
15, 1872, his birth place being the old log cabin on the Grouse farm. His 
parents were Calvin and Christine (Greenwood) Grouse of Indiana to 
v/hom eleven children were born, two girls and nine boys, William, the 
subject of this sketch being the seventh child. 

Calvin Grouse was born in North Carolina in June, 1830, the son of 
Martin and Susan (Wagoner) Grouse, both natives of North Carolina who 
migrated to Clay County, Indiana, in the early days. Martin Grouse 
freighted by wagon to Louisville where he had worked previously. He 
was a strong Union man in the struggle between the states and identified 
himself first with the Whig party and then with the Republicans. Nine 
of his sons fought in the Civil War. The tenth son, Andrew, was chosen 
to stay at home and care for the family in the absence of the other men 
of the household. Calvin Grouse served in Company F, 46th Illinois, from 
January 1, 1862 to June of that year under Col. John A. Davis. He was 
in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. In the last named battle he 
was wounded i;. the face and lost one eye. 

Calvin Grouse who was born after his parents moved to Indiana, was 
reared in that state and became a farmer there. In 1853 he went to 
Jasper County, Illinois, and later to Richland, Illinois, where he mf.rried 
Christine Greenwood, a native of Washington County, Indiana, born Janu- 
ary 14, 1839. In 1863 he came with his family to Mercer County and in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 785 

1865 he moved to Harrison County where he later had large land hold- 
ings. 

WiUiam Grouse grew up on a farm and bought his first land in 1898 
in Clay Township, Harrison County. Here he made many imnrovements, 
built a good house and barn and put up farm buildings. He sold this 
farm in 1910 and bought two farms in Mercer County which he later sold 
and purchased his present farm. This was in 1906 and Mr. Grouse began 
at once to improve this farm and has been steadily improving it ever 
since. He does general farming and stock breeding. 

Mr. Grouse was married December 2, 1894 to Alice Merfield, a native 
of Harrison County, the daughter of Otho and Anna (Preston) Merfield, 
the former born in Illinois and the latter a native of Missouri, both early 
settlers of this state. No children were born to Mr. Grouse's marriage. 

WiUiam Grouse is a Republican in politics and is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man who can always be de- 
pended upon to further community interests, a substantial citizen of 
Mercer County. 



W. J. Booth, a well known farmer and stock breeder of Lindley Town- 
ship, Mercer County, was born and reared in Missouri where his parents 
were among the farsighted men and women who were not afraid to ven- 
ture into a new country and build up a home. Mr. Booth was born in a 
log cabin, October 23, 1868, on the site of his present well improved 
farm. He was one of seventeen children bom to Andervill and Mary A. 
(Robertson) Booth. Seven of the children, four boys and three girls, 
are still living. 

Andervill Booth, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Cabell County, Virginia, in 1828, the son of Jonathan and Gelia (Walker) 
Booth. Jonathan Booth was a native of Cabell County, born in 1805. In 
1839 he brought his family to Mercer County where he entered land in 
Harrison Township. He owned large tracts of land and was one of the 
successful men of his time. He was of English descent and his wife 
was the descendant of English and German settlers in this country. 
Andervill Booth was one of five children born to them. Jonathan Booth 
died at Burlington Junction, Missouri, February 9, 1887 and his wife died 
many years earlier, March 12, 1865. Andervill Booth was married to 
Mary Ann Robertson, October 22, 1847. She was born in Breckenridge 
County, Kentucky, in 1831, the daughter of Carter T. and Polly (Suse- 
(45) 



786 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

berry) Robertson. She died in 1902 and her husband died in 1904. Their 
lives are worthy of mention in a record of the achievements of men and 
women who make history. It was such as they who converted the wild 
and unbroken wilderness of early Missouri into the present highly 
organized state of that name. 

W. J. Booth, born in a pioneer cabin, educated in the old time district 
schools and knowing all the hardships of the trying early days in Mercer 
County, is typical of the best that was produced from those times. He 
learned farm work and management from practical experience and went 
to work for himself in 1890, having worked as a farm hand for his father 
prior to that time. He rented land from the home place and in 1891 he 
became heir to forty acres of the old place upon which he immediately 
began extensive improvements. He added to the original forty acres as 
he could and now holds II21/2 acres of well improved land. The farm 
buildings are all good and the entire place shows the good effects of Mr. 
Booth's methods of farming. In 1907 Mr. Booth began breeding the big 
type Poland China hogs and is making a marked success of this line of 
work. He makes extensive shipments into various states and for the 
past few years has been holding public sales of his stock. 

Mr. Booth was married September 11, 1889 to Rosa Hart of Mercer 
County, a daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Clamonds) Hart, the former 
a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. No children were born 
to this union. 

Mr. Booth is identified with the Democratic party but votes inde- 
pendently. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Booth has 
achieved success in life because of his standards of good business, his 
community loyalty and his industry and determination. He is a citizen 
of whom the community is justly proud. 



Herbert Lindsay Jeffries, a farmer and stockman living on 140 acres 
of land in Marion Township, is the son of a pioneer citizen and judge of 
Missouri, Greenbury Jeffries. 

Greenbury Jeffries was born in Henry County, Kentucky, September 
15, 1834. He was the son of George Washington and Eliza Jeffries. 
Greenbury Jeffries was educated in the common schools and on October 
4, 1853, he was married to Mary Catherine Lindsay, who was born in 
Henry County, Kentucky, August 25, 1834. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Jef- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 787 

fries moved to Missouri and settled in Macon County for a while and then 
moved to Gentry County. Later they lived in St. Joseph for a year and 
then went back to Gentry County where they remained until 1866, when 
they came to Harrison County and settled on a farm in Jefferson Town- 
ship. Here Judge Jeffries farmed for over forty years on the 265 acres 
which he owned. Judge Jeffries was one of the early settlers who did 
much toward making Harrison County what it is today. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics and served as a member of the county court for two terms, 
winning the respect and admiration of both his own party and his op- 
ponents by his equitable handling of public affairs. He served his party 
in various other ways but he invariably voted the prohibition ticket and 
was one of the staunch supporters of the temperance cause. He identified 
himself with the Methodist Church, but made no profession of being 
religious beyond his daily practice of the Golden Rule. His needy neigh- 
bors never sought his help in vain and he was always ready to care for 
the sick. He belonged to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and was 
a worthy member of that organization to the day of his death. Judge 
Jeffries died at his home at Ridgeway, April 20, 1908. His wife died at 
the same home three miles west of Ridgeway, December 17, 1907. The 
remains of both are buried in Morris Chapel Cemetery, north of Bethany. 

To the union of Greenbury and Mary Catherine (Lindsay) Jeffries 
eight children were born, as follows: Retta, now the wife of John McCol- 
lum of Bethany; Julia, the wife of David Greybill now living at lone, 
Oregon; Leonard D., deceased; Nannie J., married to Henry Lundy of 
Marion Township; J. T., of Ridgeway; Sylvia, married to Elmer Oxford 
and living at Manitou, Oklahoma; Eliza, living at Ridgeway; and H. L., 
the youngest child and the subject of this sketch. 

Herbert Lindsay Jeffries grew to manhood on the farm and began 
work for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He obtained his educa- 
tion in the district schools of the county. Mr. Jeffries is now renting a 
farm owned by Mrs. Frank Brock. He does general farming and handles 
graded stock. 

Mr. Jeffries was married in 1896 to Clara B. Hefner, born in Marion 
Township, the daughter of W. J. and Anna E. (Kemp) Hefner. W. J. 
Hefner was a native of Virginia who came to Missouri and farmed. He 
died in 1914 at the age of sixty-five years and his widow now lives in 
Laken, Kansas. To the marriage of H. L. and Clara B. (Hefner) Jeffries 
the following children were born: Marie, married to Clarence J. Henry 



788 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and living at Ridgeway ; Ruby, wife of Roscoe Guess of St. Joseph ; and 
Lillian Mabel, at home. Mr. Jeffries has one grandchild, Herbert Le Roy 
Henry. 

Mr. Jeffries is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church. 
He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern 
Woodmen of America Lodge. 



George C. Maroney, a prominent farmer of Harrison County, now re- 
tired from active farm life, lives in Cainsville where he bought land in 
the north part of town within the city limits and erected a bunga'ow, 
comfortable and modern throughout. Here Mr. Maroney is enjoying his 
well earned freedom from business cares although he continues to oversee 
the operation of his farms. Mr. Maroney is an extensive land owner, 
his holdings including 500 acres in Harrison County, 490 acres of which 
is in one tract in Clay Tovniship and 1440 acres in Hand and Potter 
counties in South Dakota. 

George C. Maroney was born in Mercer County, Missouri, January 
24, 1857, the only child of John and Martha (Smith) Maroney. John 
Maroney was born in Indiana and died in that state. His wife was born 
in Mercer County in 1837 and died there in 1911. After the death of 
Mr. Maroney his widow was mamed to Abraham Branaman, now de- 
ceased. To this union two daughters were born: Nettie, now the wife 
of David Milner, living on Mr. Maroney's farm in Clay To\vnship; and 
Etta, deceased. 

Mr. Maroney has been intimately connected with farming all of his 
life. He lived with his grandfather, William H. Smith, at Leon, Iowa, 
until he was thirteen years old when he was bound out to a Scotchman, 
Mr. Alex Gordon, in Iowa, to leam farming. Mr. Maroney's reminiscences 
of his life with old Mr. Gordon are very interesting. He had a thorough 
course in farm work and the management of a farm under the tutelage 
of Mr. Gordon and when it was time for Mr. Maroney to leave, Mr. Gordon 
gave him a horse, a saddle and a bridle. After leaving Mr. Gordon's 
farm, Mr. Maroney married and rented some land in Decatur County, but 
after the death of his stepfather, he joined his mother in Mercer County, 
Missouri. He bought a farm there, paying $800.00 for eighty acres, and 
later adding more land to the first tract. He remained there for two 
years. About twenty-five years ago he traded all of his holdings in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 789 

Mercer County for Harrison County land upon which he at once began 
to make extensive improvements. One farm of 100 acres was accounted 
among the best land in the county. Mr. Maroney sold it and it v/as later 
resold for $200.00 an acre. This was a tract near Akron. In 1916 Mr. 
Maroney purchased his South Dakota land and his two sons are operating 
that farm. 

Mr. Maroney has been married twice: his first marriage occurred in 
1875 to Isabelle Purdun, who was bom in Decatur County, Iowa, in 1855 
and died in Harrison County in 1890. To this union seven children were 
born: Bertha, the wife of Wesley Booth, of Clay Township; Charlie, de- 
ceased; Le Roy, living in Clay Township; Melvin, a resident of South 
Dakota ; Hosea, deceased ; Harvey, living in South Dakota ; and Roley, liv- 
ing on the home place in Clay Township. Mr. Maroney was married the 
second time in 1896 to Mrs. Emma Putman, a native of Harrison County, 
the daughter of Daniel Hart, an early settler of the county and the widow 
of Clarence Putman. Mrs. Putman had seven children by her first mar- 
riage, but none by her present marriage to Mr. Maroney. 

Mr. Maroney is a Republican but votes independently. He is identi- 
fied with the Methodist Church. Mr. Maroney is one of the men of whom 
Hart-ison County is justly proud. He is a substantial and reliable citizen 
who has made a success in life by virtue of his energy, his progressive 
ideals and his enterprising methods in his business. 



W. J. Brinigar, a prominent farmer and stockman of Marion Town- 
ship, has lived in Harrison County since he was seven years old and has 
spent practically all of his life on his present farm, one and one-half miles 
south of Blythedale. 

W. J. Brinigar was born on a farm in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, 
August 29, 1863, the son of Michael and Emily (Kreamer) Brinigar who 
were the parents of four children: Ellen, now the widow of Wallace 
Hurd, living at Blythedale; Thomas, of Marion Township; W. J., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Luella, wife of William Wilson of Blythedale. 

Michael Brinigar was bom in Lawrence County, Indiana, the son of 
Thomas and Barbara (Stipp) Brinigar, the former a native of North 
Carolina and the latter born in Virginia. They were early settlers in 
Wisconsin and came to Missouri in 1870 with their son, Michael, and his 
family. Michael Brinigar was a farmer all of his life. He bought the 



790 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

land that is now a part of W. J. Brinigar's farm and remained there until 
he retired from active farm Ufe. He died on this farm December 19, 
1910. His wife, Emily (Kreamer) Brinigar was born in Pennsylvania, 
November 22, 1830, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Armstrong) 
Kreamer. Mrs. Brinigar died March 9, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Brinigar 
were worthy people who were assets to their community. Mr. Brinigar 
was a staunch adherent of the Democratic party. 

W. J. Brinigar received two months schooling each year in the dis- 
trict schools of the county while he was growing up. He had also prac- 
tical training in farm work and management in his association with his 
father. After he started out for himself he engaged in general farming 
and very soon began breeding pure bred stock, his particular interest lying- 
in Hampshire hogs. Mr. Brinigar has been very successful in his work. 
He has made exhibits at the State Fairs in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas 
for the past ten years and always won ribbons. In all there are over 
500 ribbons on the walls of one room in his home where he keeps his 
trophies. He took more than half the ribbons on First Grand Champion 
and Champion contests. Mr. Brinigar has eight silver cups which he won 
on his Hampshire hogs at the fairs. All of the prize hogs were bred 
and raised by the owner. In 1917 Mr. Brinigar sold a boar, "Blythedale 
Jim", to Clayton Messenger of Kesswick, Iowa, for $1,000.00. Mr. Brin- 
igar feels that his success in his work has been the result of pluck and 
determination. He was farsighted in his ideas and progressive in his 
methods and these qualities added to his determination have made for 
him unusual success. 

Mr. Brinigar was married January 1, 1886 to Mary Scott, who was 
born in Marion Township, the daughter of Moses and Mary (Graham) 
Scott, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, who came to Missouri from Illi- 
nois in 1858 and settled in Marion Township where they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. They ai-e both deceased. To their union ten 
children were born, seven of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Brinigar, 
the seventh child, was educated in the district schools. To the union of 
W. J. and Mary (Scott) Brinigar two sons were born: Hugh F., born 
April 22, 1893, a veteran of the World War, enlisted in the navy in 1918, 
was trained at Seattle, Washington as a bugler, but was discharged after 
eleven months of service and is now living at home; and William B., born 
August 13, 1896, married January 1, 1919 to Helen Lindrose of Blythedale, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 791 

and now living on the farm in Marion Township. To this union one child, 
Virginia Ilene, has been born. 

Mr. Brinigar is a Democrat in his political views. He is not identified 
with any church, although he neither swears nor uses tobacco. He is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Brinigar was one 
of the men who organized the Citizens Bank at Blythedale and was 
elected the president of that institution in 1911 which office he now fills. 
He is also president of the Blythedale Telephone Company and has served 
as president of the American Hampshire Hog Association. He is a man 
who is intensely interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his com- 
munity, practical and capable in his views and ideals. Mr. Branigar be- 
heves in the practical value of owning land and now has holdings cover- 
ing 430 acres in Marion Township and 160 acres in Oklahoma. 



Porter Buntin, a substantial citizen of Blythedale, dealer in grain, 
seed and coal, is a native of this county where he was born October 23, 
1866 at Brooklyn. 

Mr. Buntin's parents were W. H. and Julia (Simpson) Buntin to 
whom five children were born: Dora, deceased; Porter, the subject of 
this review; Milburn, deceased; Alice, wife of Charles Ashby, living in 
the state of Washington; and Charlie, now living in Arizona. W. H. 
Buntin was born in Hancock County, Indiana, twenty miles from Indi- 
anapolis in 1836. He was a cabinet maker by trade and came to Har- 
rison County when he was about twenty-one years old and settled at 
Brooklyn where he operated a saw and grist mill in connection with his 
vocation of cabinet making. Later in his life he became a farmer and 
followed that line of work until his death in 1911 at Douglas County, 
Washington where he went some years before his demise and took up a 
claim. This land is still held by his children. Porter Buntin's mother, 
Julia (Simpson) Buntin, was born in Missouri and died at Brooklyn at 
the age of forty-five years when her son, Porter, was only a boy. 

Porter Buntin was reared in Brooklyn where he attended school. He 
clerked in a general merchandise store at Brooklyn for a while, and from 
1890 to 1892 he worked as the foreman of a construction gang grading for 
the Great Western and Oregon Short Line railways. At the end of that 
work he returned to Brooklyn and clerked again in the store there. In 
1895 he came to Blythedale and ran a livery business for fifteen years. 



792 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

He engaged in the grain business in partnership with J. C. Henry until 
the death of Mr. Henry in 1919. Since that time, Mr. Buntin has con- 
ducted the business alone. 

Mr. Buntin was married in 1901 at Princeton to Allie Winningham, 
a daughter of Dr. F. M. Winningham, a sketch of whose life appears in 
this volume in connection with the review of the life of Dr. J. J. Winning- 
ham. Mr. and Mrs. Buntin have one child, Arlyne, living at home. 

Porter Buntin is a Republican and is a member of the Methodist 
Church. He has served on the township board and as committeeman 
and has also served on the city council. He was the mayor of Blythedale 
for a term. As a business man, Mr. Buntin is energetic and progressive ; 
and in his capacity as an officer for his township and his town, he was 
fair minded and efficient. He deservedly stands well in the esteem of 
his fellow citizens. 



Pius Higdon, deceased, a well knovra famier of Clay Township and a 
veteran of the Civil War, was bom in Hardin County, Kentucky, July 23, 
1845, the son of John and Luvina (Carrico) Higdon. 

John Higdon was born in the East in May, 1811 and went to Ken- 
tucky with his parents. He married Luvina Carrico who was born in 
Marion County, Kentucky and six children were born to their union. 
John Higdon died in Hardin County, Kentucky and his widow died many 
years later in Harrison County. 

Pius Higdon was reared in Washington County, Kentucky. His 
mother was a widow without much money so he started, early in his life, 
to earn his own way. When he was only seventeen he enlisted for service 
in the Civil War and sei-ved in Company G, 10th Kentucky Infantry, under 
Col. John Harland. He remained in service for three years, three months 
and twenty days. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, Sherman's March to the Sea and Kenesaw Mountain. After he 
was discharged in December, 1864, he returned to Washington County, 
Kentucky, but left there shortly afterwards because of the guerrillas and 
went to Davis County, Indiana, where he operated a farm for six years. 
In 1870 he came with his family to Harrison County and settled in Clay 
Township where he spent the remainder of his life. 

Pius Higdon was married twice. His first marriage was in Indiana 
to Catherine Shieliff, who was bom in Indiana, June 2, 1848 and died in 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 793 

Harrison County, April 15, 1881. To this union seven children were born: 
Mary L., deceased; Annie C, deceased, was Mrs. Patterson; John J., liv- 
ing at Conception Junction, Missouri; James J., of Coffey ville, Kansas; 
Charles W., living at Indianola, Iowa; Robert E., living at home; and 
Martin A., a resident of Vernon, Colorado. Mr. Higdon's second mar- 
riage was to Mary E. Hill, born in Washington County, Kentucky. This 
marriage occurred December 27, 1882, and to this union six children were 
born : Clement A., who was drowned in Grand River, June 13, 1897 ; Cath- 
erine Agnes, married to Leonard LaFollette and living in Clay Township ; 
Richard L., at home with his mother; Louis 0., living in Clay Township; 
Otho, of Mercer County ; and Laura, married to Vincent WiUis and living 
in Clay Township. 

Pius Higdon died January 3, 1895. His widow lives in Clay Town- 
ship on the old home farm of 250 acres which she owns. Mr. Higdon was 
a staunch Democrat and was a member of the Catholic Church with which 
church all of his family are identified. He served as township clerk for 
seven years and was the township assessor. In all the phases of his life, 
as a business man, as a citizen, and in his capacity as a tovraiship officer, 
Mr. Higdon was industrious, earnest and sincere. He merited the high 
regard in which he was held by the community. 



N. M. Brown, a well known farmer and stockman, has lived in Har- 
rison County since his early childhood. He was born in Muscatine 
County, Iowa, March 11, 1850. 

Mr. Brovra's parents, Albert and Elizabeth (Hayman) Brown were 
natives of Pike County, Ohio, who went to Iowa in 1849 and came on to 
Missouri in 1856. They settled in Harrison County near the Victor school 
in the south part of Clay Township and homesteaded 160 acres of land 
there. They later sold this land and moved to Akron in order to send 
their children to school. Albert Brown had followed the vocation of 
freighting in Iowa. He was the first school director ever elected in 
Clay Township and served in that capacity for thirty years. At the out- 
break of the Civil War, Mr. Brown identified himself with the Union cause 
and in 1864 he enlisted in Company I, 4th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, 
the State Militia of Missouri. He was married to Elizabeth Hayman, 
May 5, 1849 and to this union seven children were born : N. M., the sub- 
ject of this sketch; L. A., a resident of Davis City, Iowa; H. E., living at 



794 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Atlanta, Nebraska ; John, of Hopp, Montana ; Zona, deceased, was the wife 
of William Bunny of San Jose, California ; Myrtle, married to Henry Car- 
son of Albany, Missouri ; and Zella, the wife of Ed Flora of Davis City, 
Iowa. Albert Brown was born November 24, 1824 and died at Akron, 
March 3, 1907. 

N. M. Brown was reared on a farm and has been in that work all 
of his life. He bought his first piece of land consisting of two aci-es in 
1874 and added to it as he could until his holdings now comprise 318 acres. 

Mr. Brown was married December 25, 1875 to Louisa Jeffries, born 
in Clay Township, November 18, 1857, the daughter of A. J. and Min- 
erva (Rupert) Jeffries. A. J. Jeffries was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
October 30, 1830 and died October 25, 1920. In 1849 he drove a team 
of oxen fi'om Ohio to California and participated in the historic westward 
movement of that year. In 1856 he came to Harrison County and home- 
steaded land in Clay Township. He owned, at the time of his demise, 
600 acres which still remains in his name. He was married to Minerva 
Rupert, born in Fayette County, Ohio, February 22, 1831. She died 
December 27, 1894. To her union with A. J. Jeffries eight children were 
born, seven of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Brown was the third child. 
To the union of N. M. and Louisa (Jeffries) Brown three children were 
born: Otis, deceased; Cora Alice, the wife of Norman Morgan of Beth- 
any; and Pearl, married to E. J. Hollingsworth of Fisher, Illinois. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown have five grandchildren. 

Mr. Brown is an adherent of the Democratic party in politics and is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been successful in his 
work because of his thorough understanding of farm problems and of 
the energy and determination he has brought to the handling of the 
situations he has met. 



H. N. Stump, retired farmer and carpenter and the present mayor 
of Blythedale, has engaged in various pursuits with an unvarying degree 
of success. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 12, 1844. His 
parents were F. A. and Catherine (Smith) Stump. 

F. A. Stump was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 18, 1814. His 
parents were Nicholas and Margaret (Aunspach) Stump, natives of Hol- 
land who came to the United States when they were young and settled 
on a farm in Ohio where they both died. F. A. Stump grew up on a farm 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 795 

and spent most of his life farming although he learned the trade of a 
shoemaker. He came to Page County, Iowa, in 1855 and lived on a 
farm there until his death at Clarinda, Iowa, June 22, 1905. His wife, 
Catherine (Smith) Stump was bom in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 
February 26, 1816, the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Winters) Smith, 
both natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Ohio. Mrs. Stump 
died April 1, 1891. 

H. N. Stump was a child of eleven years when his parents came to 
Iowa. He attended the rural schools there and worked on his father's 
farm as a farm hand until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted 
for service in the Union army, January 16, 1862 at Davenport, Iowa and 
was assigned to Company E, 16th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was 
under Sherman and participated in the battle at Shiloh. On July 22, 1864 
he was taken prisoner at Decatur at a place then known as Ezra Church 
and was sent to Andersonville prison. He was released on February 27, 
1865 and was discharged from the army at Davenport, Iowa, July 5, 1865. 
Mr. Stump operated a farm after the war until 1874, when he began to 
woi'k at the carpenter's trade which work he continued until 1919. He 
lost the sight in one eye and after that retired from active work. Mr. 
Stump has lived in Harrison County for many years. He came to Eagle- 
ville in June, 1874, and moved to Blythedale in 1895 where he owns an 
acre of land upon which his home is located. 

Mr. Stump was married August 13, 1865 to Mary Ann Lee, born in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, June 26, 1846, the daughter of Richard W. and 
Nancy (Ward) Lee, both natives of Virginia and belonging to families 
of Revolutionary fame. To Mr. Stump's union seven children were bom, 
two of whom died in infancy. The remaining five are: Fannie C, wife 
of H. L. Miller of Bethany; Frank L., a resident of Muscatine, Iowa; 
Minnie, wife of J. E. Williams of Colfax Township; Fred A., of Musca- 
tine, Iowa ; and Charles, also living at Muscatine. Mr. and Mrs. Stump 
have fourteen living grandchildren. 

Mr. Stump is a staunch Republican and is identified with the Baptist 
Church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 
551 at Blythedale and of the Knights of Pythias at Omaha. He has 
always been interested in political affairs and has several times been 
called by his community to serve in an official capacity. He was the 
mai-shal of Eagleville and the constable of Marion Township for a time. 



796 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

In April, 1921, he was elected mayor of Blythedale. In all of these 
offices Mr. Stump has served faithfully and efficiently. He has an unusual 
memory for historical dates and events and his recollections of his own 
contacts with history in the making are most interesting. 



J. W. Dale, a retired farmer of Harrison County now living at Blythe- 
dale, has been known for years as a successful breeder of Aberdeen Angus 
cattle on which he has won several prizes at the Bethany Fair. He has 
conducted two public sales of his cattle, receiving $265.00 for one cow. 
This was h's record price. Mr. Dale grew up in this county and is one 
of the many men who have achieved success here and so are in every 
sense an integral part of Harrison County. 

Mr. Dale was born in Colfax Township, May 18, 1859, the son of 
Abraham and Martha (Mastrus) Dale, natives of Kentucky, who married 
there and, in 1852, came to Missouri and settled on a farm one and one- 
half miles north of Blythedale. To their union eleven children were 
born, three of whom died in infancy, and only four of whom are now 
living. They are : Mrs. John Canady, a widow living at Eagleville ; Lewis 
J., a Civil War veteran, now living at Springfield, Missouri; Nancy, wife 
of William Kieser, of Oxford, Nebraska; and J. W., the youngest child 
and the subject of this review. 

J. W. Dale was educated in the district schools and attended college 
at Avalon. He began to work for himself when he was a young man and 
worked by the month for five years, receiving thirteen dollars a month. 
He bought his first land in 1884. He purchased the old homestead and 
added steadily to his holdings until he now owns 600 acres and more in 
three farms besides the ten acres at Blythedale upon which his home is 
located. His farm in Clay Township is especially equipped for the breed- 
ing of cattle. He has bought and sold both cattle and mules for years 
and it was in this particular phase of farming that he made his success. 

Mr. Dale was married on October 15, 1884, to Rosa Booth, born three 
miles north of Cainsville, the daughter of Evermont and Susan (Reeves) 
Booth, the former bom in Virginia and the latter a native of Kentucky, 
early settlers of Harrison County. Evemiont Booth was one of the vast 
number of men who joined the westward movement in 1849 in search of 
gold. To Mr. Dales union with Rosa (Booth) Dale two children were 
bom: Glenn, now a salesman for a St. Joseph glass and paint house and 
living in Topeka, Kansas; and Earl, living in Colfax Township. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 797 

Mr. Dale votes the Democratic ticket and is a member of the Baptist 
Church. He has always been interested in enterprises other than farming 
and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank and of the 
Citizens Bank of Blythedale. He is a member of the board of directors 
of both banks. Mr. Dale is a man of varied interests, marked business 
acumen, and progressive ideas and methods. These things have contrib- 
uted to the marked success which he has made in life. 



F. J. Allman, the efficient manager of the Miner and Frees Lumber 
Yard at Blythedale, was born in Marion Township, September 18, 1876, 
the son of Pierce and Dora (Ingram) Allman. 

Pierce Allman was born in Jackson County, Iowa, July 25, 1854. He 
was a farmer and settled in Harrison County in 1868, where he farmed 
until his death, August 8, 1881, when his son, F. J., was a child of five 
years. Pierce Allman was the son of Jackson Allman, bom in Stark 
County, Ohio, and Jane (Geist) Allman, born in Venango County, Pennsyl- 
vania. Jackson Allman enlisted for service in the Civil War in Iowa and 
was in the 16th Volunteer Regiment, Infantry. He was captured by the 
Confederates and was in Andersonville Prison for one hundred days. He 
and his wife came to Missouri from Iowa. They had two children, Pierce, 
father of the subject of this sketch, and a son who died in infancy. Jack- 
son Allman died April 24, 1908, at the age of eighty years and his wife 
died in 1918 at the age of ninety-three. They were efficient, sturdy people 
highly respected in their commounity. Dora (Ingram) Allman, mother 
of the subject of this review, was bom in Mills County, Iowa, August 8, 
1855, and is now living at Blythedale. The children of Pierce and Dora 
(Ingram) Allman were: Effie, now Mrs. Lesh living west of Eagleville; 
F. J., the subject of this sketch ; Maud, deceased ; and Frank, deceased. 

F. J. Allman was reared by his grandparents, Jackson and Jane 
(Geist) Allman, on a farm and attended the district schools of the county. 
In 1907 he began work as a mail carrier on Route 3 out of Blythedale 
and continued this work until 1910 when he was appointed postmaster at 
Blythedale. He operated the office until August, 1913, when he resigned 
and went on a farm which he conducted until 1918 at which time he began 
working for the Miner and Frees Lumber Company. He was made the 
manager of the yard at Blythedale in February, 1920, and has been very 
successful in his work. 



798 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

F. J. Allman was married September 19, 1903, to Maud Hurd, born 
in Marion Township, the daughter of W. W. and Ellen (Brinigar) Hurd, 
natives of Wisconsin. Mrs. Hurd is now living at Blythedale. To the 
marriage of F. J. and Maud (Hurd) Allman five children were bom, all 
living at home: Gladys, Doris, Elsie, Jack and Roy. 

Mr. Allman is a Republican and is identified with the Christian 
Church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an efficient business man, pro- 
gressive and thorough in his methods, and a substantial citizen. 



W. E. Riley, farmer and owner of 120 acres of land in Clay Township, 
has been an intimate factor in the life of Clay Township since the Civil 
War. He was a teacher here for eighteen years, has operated a farm 
successfully, raised stock profitably, and is a veteran of the Civil War. 

Mr. Riley was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 22, 1842, the son 
of Lewis H. and Mary A. (Holland) Riley, to whom three children were 
born, Mr. Riley being the second. Lewis H. Riley was married three 
times ; to the second marriage one child was born. To the third marriage 
no children were born. Lewis H. Riley was born in Westmoreland County, 
Virginia, July 8, 1813, and died in Clay Township in this county on October 
7, 1902. Ho came here in 1868 and bought a farm of 220 acres which he 
improved. He was a farmer all of his life, achieving success in that line 
of work. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. 
When he was still a young man, he left Virginia and went to Knox County, 
Ohio, and it was there that he married his first wife, Mary A. (Holland) 
Riley, a native of Knox County, Ohio. She died in 1857. 

W. E. Riley was reared in Ohio, came to Missouri in 1868 and settled 
in Clay Township, but returned to Ohio that same year and was married. 
Shortly afterwards he came back to Harrison County and farmed on a 
part of the farm owned by his father. His father gave him fifty acres 
of land, built a house for him and improved the farm but Mr. Riley began 
to teach school in 1868 and continued in that work for many years in 
Clay Township and one term at Pleasanton, Iowa. Mr. Riley's teaching 
was the direct result of his experiences and observations during the Civil 
War, for it was while he was in service that he found the advantages to 
be derived from an education, so after his return from the army he con- 
sulted his father and as a result went to Mount Vernon, Ohio, and com- 
pleted his education. Mr. Riley enlisted August 8, 1863, in Company I, 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 799 

2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was in Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia, 
and became sergeant during that time. He was discharged from service, 
August 23, 1865, and returned to Ohio. 

W. E. Riley was married, June 12, 1868, to Margaret S. Frazier, born 
October 26, 1846, in Muskingum County, Ohio. To this union five children 
have been bom: Lena, wife of S. C. Mossburg of Cainsville, a sketch of 
whose life appears in this volume ; Edwin, living at Corning ; Robinson F., 
farming the home place; Olive, deceased, was married to C. L. Squires; 
and Georgia, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have thirteen grandchildren, 
and have taken Mr. Riley's granddaughter, Annie Laurie Squires, daugh- 
ter of Mrs. Olive (Riley) Squires, deceased, to raise. 

Mr. Riley is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at 
Bethany. He is a Republican and is identified with the Presbyterian 
Church. He has served as a member of the township board and has been 
justice of the peace. Mr. Riley is a man who has always been interested 
in everything that pertains to the welfare of a community. When he 
was teaching school, he organized a base ball team which became one of 
the well known local teams, playing practically all of the nearby teams. 
In a base ball tournament this team won a "silver ball" as a trophy. This 
ball is now kept at Bethany. Mr. Riley's recollections of those early games 
are interesting. He assures us that in those days a pitcher either threw 
the kind of ball the batter asked for or the ball was not counted. Mr. 
Riley was the pitcher for his team and he retains all of his old time interest 
in the great national game of America. Mr. Riley is among the men who 
wrested success from the hardships of the days when, in order to succeed, 
a man must be versatile and adaptable. 



Harry Phillips, a well known farmer and stockman of Clay Township, 
is now renting and farming 405 acres of his father's land. He belongs 
to a family whose name has been connected with successful farming 
operations for many years. 

Harry Phillips was born in Madison Township, August 7, 1879, the 
son of S. C. and Amanda (Baker) Phillips to whose union six sons were 
born: Harry, the oldest, and the subject of this sketch; Claude, living 
in Clay Tovmship ; Clifford, also living in Clay Township ; Fora, deceased ; 
Ernest, deceased; and Nort, now living in North Dakota. S. C. Phillips 
was born in Illinois and came to Harrison County with his parents in his 
childhood. He has been a practical farmer all of his life and established 



800 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

himself as a land owner, holding at present 530 acres of land, all in Clay, 
Township but divided into two farms. Amanda (Baker) Phillips was 
born in Mercer County, east of Cainsville. She died July 6, 1821, at the 
age of fifty-nine years. Her husband, who is now sixty-five years old, is 
living with his children. 

Harry Phillips attended the rural schools of the county and received 
practical training in farm management and work on his father's fai-m. 
He began work for himself in 1900 when he rented land from his father- 
in-law in Trail Creek Township. In 1920 he came to the farm which he 
is now operating. 

Mr. Phillips was married February 17, 1900, to Ina Ross of Trail 
Creek Township, a daughter of W. S. and Eva (Sisney) Ross, a sketch of 
whose lives appear in this volume. To the union of Harry and Ina (Ross) 
Phillips two sons were born: Ross and Clarence, both living at home. 

Mr. Phillips is an independent voter in politics. He is a member of 
the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He is enterprising and energetic, a man 
whose business integrity and ideals of citizenship have given him the 
esteem of his fellow citizens. 



I. D. Purdun, an enterprising and reliable farmer and stockman of 
Clay Township and the owner of 190 acres of land, was born June 3, 1876, 
in Decatur County, Iowa, the son of H. B. and Elizabeth A. (Turpin) 
Purdun, to whom three children were born, of whom the subject of this 
sketch is the only one living at present. 

H. B. Purdun was born in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1832, and went 
to Iowa with his people, before the outbreak of the Civil War. He was a 
farmer all of his life and came to Harrison County, in the fall of 1885, 
where he settled in Clay Township, near Akron. He married Elizabeth 
Turpin in Decatur County, Iowa. She was a native of Indiana, born in 
1841. She died in May, 1915, and her husband died August 24, 1902. The 
remains of both are buried in Akron Cemetery. 

I. D. Purdun attended the Victor district school and was reared on 
his father's farm. He inherited 233 acres of land which he has since sold 
and bought his present farm in 1915. It is located one and three-fourths 
miles west of Akron. Mr. Purdun has improved the place and operates 
it as a general farm with marked success. He also raises and sells stock 
successfully. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 801 

Mr. Purdun married Martha Ann Oxford, November 22, 1896. Mrs. 
Purdun is a native of Clay Township, the daughter of William R. and 
Mary (Zimmerman) Oxford. To the union of I. D. and Martha Ann 
(Oxford) Purdun ten children were born: Lloyd Oxford, living at home; 
Mabel, the wife of Void Shoots of Colfajc Township; Oscar, deceased; 
Velma Ruth, married Benjamin Clark of Clay Township; Hosea Blue, 
William Robert, Lawrence Dale, deceased; Mary He, and Ona May, and 
Harvie Woodrow, deceased. 

Mr. Purdun is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He served 
as township treasurer and trustee and is now a member of the township 
board. Mr. Purdun is a substantial citizen who has built up a successful 
farming business by his integrity and progressive methods. 



William Perry, an enterprising fanner and stockrHan of Colfax Town- 
ship, is a native of Staffordshire, England, where he was born October 
11, 1862. 

Mr. Perry's parents were William and Sarah (Boswell) Perry, both 
natives of England. William Perry left his native land in November, 
1868 and came to the United States and settled in Kewanee, Illinois and 
worked in the coal mines. In 1869 his wife and three children joined him 
and the family later moved to Decatur, Iowa and located on a farm of 
eighty acres. There was a large family of children, only six of whom 
grew to maturity. William Perry died at Lamoni, Iowa, in 1906 at the 
age of sixty-eight years. His widow, now eighty-three years old, is now 
living at Lamoni. .| 

William Perry, the subject of this review, was the third child born 
to his parents. He grew up on a farm and worked as a miner, paper 
hanger, and painter at various times. He was educated in the rural 
schools. He rented land for farming at Decatur, Iowa and, in 1894, moved 
to Harrison County. In 1913 he bought his present farm of 160 acres in 
Colfax Township and has been improving this land steadily. In 1914 he 
erected a large barn and has added sundry other buildings since that time. 

William Perry was married in What Cheer, Iowa, to Bertha Rhodes 

and to this union nine children were born: William H., living in Decatur 

County, Iowa; Mattie, wife of Ross Thompson, Topeka, Kansas; Earl, 

residing at Mount Ayr, Iowa ; Charles, of Shenandoah, Iowa ; Bert, living 

(46) 



802 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

at home ; Zelpha, now living at Topeka, Kansas ; and Lee, Carl and Virgil, 
all living at home. Three of Mr. Perry's sons are veterans of the World 
War. William H. was in the supply train and sei-ved in France for four- 
teen months. Earl entered the government service and was assigned to 
duty driving and transfering trucks from Detroit to the ships docked 
close by. Charles was trained at Detroit eight months for navy service 
and was at sea for ten days. 

Mr. Perry is an independent voter and is a member of the Latter Day 
Saints Church. He is a man who through pluck and industry has estab- 
lished his present success in his work. 



G. W. Bishop, owner of 127 acres of land in Clay Township and re- 
tired farmer, is one of the group of sturdy and enterprising men who 
came to Missouri in the days when it was a frontier state and by virtue 
of pluck, foresight, and determination achieved success in the new land. 

Mr. Bishop was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 29, 1844, the 
son of Daniel and Johanna (Larison) Bishop, the former born in Rhode 
Island and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Daniel Bishop was born 
July 5, 1814, and died December 29, 1884. He was a farmer all of his 
life and made a success of his work. His wife was born June 23, 1821, 
and died September 18, 1890. To their union ten children were born 
only three of whom are now living : Mary Ellen, wife of Edward Robertson 
of Knox County, Ohio ; Orin, a resident of Fredericktown, Ohio ; and G. W., 
the subject of this sketch. 

G. W. Bishop grew up on a farm. He left Ohio in the fall of 1868 and 
came to Harrison County where he settled near Akron. The next spring 
he moved to his present farm in Clay Township and has lived here ever 
since. He has improved his land, its value having been enhanced greatly 
since the time Mr. Bishop bought it. 

Mr. Biehop is a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted for service in 
1863 as a "Hundred Day" soldier at Camp Delaware, Ohio. He served in 
Company A, 142 Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged in September, 
1864. 

G. W. Bishop was married March 11, 1868, to Martha Elizabeth Tur- 
ner, who was bom in Newton Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, June 
26, 1841, and died in Harrison County, October 20, 1919. To the union 
of G. W. and Martha Elizabeth (Turner) Bishop seven children were 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 803 

born: Estella, deceased, was the wife of James Cline; Etta Ellen, mar- 
ried to Canby Beebe, living in California; Arthur T., living in Idaho; 
Frank, deceased; Bertha, deceased; and Walter G., a resident of Los 
Angeles, California; and Amy Ruth, living at home where she keeps house 
for her father. Mr. Bishop has seven grandchildren. 

Mr. Bishop votes the Republican ticket and is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. He was formerly a member of the Ancient Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons. He is a man who weighs a question with due care and 
from every angle before he makes up his mind. Having espoused a 
cause however he is wiUing to uphold it vigorously. He is a reliable and 
substantial member of his community. 



W. S. Dale, a farmer and stockman of Colfax Township, has been 
intimately connected with the occupation of farming all of his life. He 
belongs to a family that has had in it successful farmers for three genera- 
tions. Mr. Dale therefore grew up amidst the problems that he has met 
in his later life. 

W. S. Dale was born in Hart County, Kentucky, January 1, 1865, the 
son of James J. and Amy Elizabeth (Shirley) Dale. They were the par- 
ents of three children: S. R., living in Dallas, Texas; W. S., the subject 
of this sketch; and Maud L., deceased, married to R. F. Richardson, a 
review of whose life appears in this volume. 

James J. Dale was born in Hart County, Kentucky, September 17, 
1831, and was engaged in farming all of his life. He was a veteran of 
the Civil War in which he served three years and six months. He enlisted 
in Company I, 26th Volunteer Infantry, July 1, 1862, and was discharged 
June 13, 1865, after being wounded in the left shoulder. After the close 
of the war he brought his family to Harrison County. They drove through 
from Kentucky in a wagon and located in the northeast part of Colfax 
Township where they remained for a while. During the winter of 1865, 
Mr. Dale built a log cabin on a farm near Eagleville to which he moved 
his family in the spring of 1866. In 1896 he moved again to a house near 
his farm and remained at this place until the death of his wife when he 
made his home with his children. Mr. Dale was a Republican and a mem- 
ber of the Christian church. He belonged to the Grand Army of the 
Republic Post Reuben Dale at Eagleville. This post was named for a 
brother of James J. Dale, Reuben Dale, killed in the Civil War. Mr. Dale's 
wife, Amy Elizabeth (Shirley) Dale, died May 30, 1897, at the age of 



804 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

sixty-seven years and James J. Dale died May 9, 1908. The remains of 
both are buried in the Masonic Cemetery. W. S. Dale attended the dis- 
trict school and was reared on the farm. He began working for himself 
when he was a young man and i-ented land for a year. Then he bought 
100 acres east of Eagleville, made improvements and farmed there until 
he traded with his father and got the home place. He has added to his 
holdings until he now owns 220 acres of land, 140 acres of which is 
located in Colfax Township and eighty acres in Trail Creek Township. 
In 1918 he bought a farm from Mrs. Kate Brown and built a bungalow 
which is modern throughout. Mr. Dale has raised stock for several years 
and he attributes much of his success to that particular line of work. 

W. S. Dale was married September 8, 1889, to Sarah A. Mitchell, 
born in this county, June 18, 1872, the daughter of David S. and Eliza 
(Matthews) Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were natives of Indiana who 
settled in Harrison County after the Civil War. They are both now 
dead. Mrs. Dale died Januaiy 16, 1921. To her union with W. S. Dale 
four children were born, only one of whom, is now living; Lora R., mar- 
ried to Gladys Riley and living on the Dale farm. Mr. Dale has two 
grandchildi'en, Creighton R. and Jack S. Dale. 

VV. S. Dale is a republican and a member of the Christian church in 
which he is an elder. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Eagle- 
ville. He is a man who maintains an active interest in his various lines 
of activity. In his farm operations, in his stock raising, in his connection 
with the bank, and in his relation to the church of which he is an officer, 
he has put energy, thought and time. He merits the marked success 
which he has made. 



Albert Richardson, deceased, was a well known farmer of Colfax 
Township. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres of land where 
his widow now lives. He was a native of this county and spent all of 
his life here so he was an integral part of the community where he was 
known as a substantial and reliable man. 

Mr. Richardson was born in Marion Township, February 20, 1852. 
His parents were John and Abigail (Bridges) Richardson to whom eight 
children were born, Albert, the subject of this review being the third 
child. John Richardson was a native of Kentucky, an early settler of Har- 
rison County, an account of whose life may be found in the sketch of the 
life of R. F. Richardson in this volume. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 805 

Albert Richardson grew up on a farm and engaged in farming all of 
his life. He was married February 20, 1892 to Ora Hutton, born July 18, 
1873 in Clay Township. Her parents were Marcellus and Anna (Graham) 
Hutton, natives of Indiana who came to Harrison County when they were 
mere children. To the union of Albert and Ora (Hutton) Richardson six 
children were born: Blanch, now the wife of Clarence McCoy of Colfax 
Township; Morris, living in Colfax Township; Lawrence, at home; 
Charley, a resident of Idaho ; Jewell, living at home ; Marie, also at home. 
Mrs. Richardson has three grandchildren. One of them, Morris Richard- 
son, is a veteran of the World War. He was trained at Camp Funston, 
remaining in training for eighteen months. 

Mr. Richardson died October 27, 1916. He was a Repubhcan in poli- 
tics and was identified with the Baptist Church. He was a man of in- 
tegrity and strong business acumen, a believer in progressive methods 
in his work and always ready to support the best interests of his com- 
munity. 



B. B. Sharp, farmer, land owner, and business man of this county, 
is a native of Colfax Township, born November 15, 1858, in an old frame 
house that still stands on the Sharp farm. The house was built of lum- 
ber native to Harrison County which was sawed up for building purposes 
by horse power, twelve head of horses and mules being used to operate 
the mill. It is one of the few early homes now left in the county, although 
it has not been occupied for many years. 

Mr. Sharp's parents were Preston and Elizabeth (Nunns) Sharp to 
whom four children were born: Jacob H., living at Pawnee in Hamilton 
Township; Mary E., now Mrs. Arthur Brown, a widow in Canton, South 
Dakota; B. B., the subject of this review; and Augusta, deceased, was 
married to Oscar Brown. Preston Sharp was bom in Tennessee, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1831, and was left an orphan at an early age. He was raised by 
an uncle in Jacksonville, Illinois. He grew up on his uncle's farm and 
was married; then in 1855 he came to Missouri, driving through from 
Illinois in a wagon. He settled in Harrison County where he bought 160 
acres of land in Colfax Township for which he paid six dollars an acre. 
He enlisted for service in the Civil War in the 12th Missouri Cavalry and 
was made lieutenant and later a captain. After the close of the Civil 
War he was sent to Wyoming, Dakota, and other western points to quell 



806 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Indian uprisings. He was one of the fearless and efficient officers of his 
time. About thirty years before his death he went to Hot Springs, 
South Dakota, and lived there for years. He died at Yankton, South 
Dakota, August 27, 1915. 

Elizabeth (Nunns) Sharp was born in Pontefract, England, January 
15, 1830. She left her native country when she was ten years old and 
came with her parents, Thomas and Mary (Bohee) Nunns to the United 
States. They located in New York where they remained for a while. Mr. 
Nunns was a tinner by trade and shipped all of his tools and tinware to 
New York from England, paying more to get the goods across than new 
tools and supplies would have cost in this country. The family soon left 
New York and came to Jacksonville, Illinois, and from thence to Harrison 
County where they lived in a little log cabin on the farm now owned by 
their grandson, the subject of this sketch. Their recollections of their 
life in England and of their passage to the United States were interest- 
ing. They came across from the old country in a sailing vessel which 
took sixteen weeks to make the trip. To hardy and venturesome spirits 
such as these the county owes much honor and praise. Their daughter, 
Elizabeth (Nunns) Sharp died July 18, 1886. 

B. B. Sharp attended the district school of the county and grew up 
on the farm which he now owns. This place of 240 acres has been much 
improved by the present owner, who has always believed in the efficacy 
of new and progressive methods. 

Mr. Sharp was married September 12, 1888, to Ida A. Jones, bom 
July 20, 1869, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Enoch and 
Eliza (Whitehead) Jones, natives of Lancastershire, England. They 
came to the United States in the early days and later settled in Missouri. 
This was after the Civil War in which Mr. Jones enlisted for service in 
Philadelphia. He served as a mariner for two years and two years on 
land duty. In 1870 he settled in Marion Township in this county, locat- 
ing on a farm two and one-half miles southeast of Blythedale. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Jones are now living at Hot Springs, South Dakota. 

To the union of B. B. and Ida A. (Jones) Sharp the following children 
were born : Flavins J., Grover C, and Oscar G., all living in Colfax Town- 
ship; Nellie B., wife of Edwin Bonner of Ringgold County, Iowa; Glenn 
I., and Ruby J., both living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have three 
grandchildren: Neva and Rex Bonner, and Donald Sharp. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 807 

B. B. Sharp is an adherent of the democratic party in politics. He 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Eagleville which chapter 
he helped to organize. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank 
at Eaglesville and has been a director of that institution ever since. He 
has also served as a member of the school board. Mr. Sharp by inheri- 
tance and by training is a man of varied interests. His foresighted policy 
in conducting his business, his high standards of citizenship, and his 
interest in every movement that pertains in any way to the development 
of the community have made him a man who stands high in the esteem 
of his fellow citizens. 



John J. Grabill, now operating the R. L. Martin farm in Section 20 
of Hamilton Township, has lived in this county practically all of his life. 
In his boyhood during the 70's the entire western part of Harrison County 
was unbroken prairie. Mr. Grabill often herded cattle, bareheaded and 
barefooted, on these plains and he says that in those days when a person 
went to visit the neighbors, he simply "cut across the country" as there 
were no roads laid out. Mr. Gi-abill's father and grandfather also were 
men who saw the possibilities in the development of the frontier land 
and were among the courageous early settlers. 

John J. Grabill was born near St. Joseph, Missouri, November 11, 
1866, the son of J. A. and Oregon (Smith) Grabill, to whom nine children 
were born, John J. being the oldest. J. A. Grabill was born in Clay 
County, Missouri, in 1845, and came to Harrison County with his parents, 
John and Sallie S. (Woodward) Grabill, when he was four years old. 
They were natives of Lee County, Virginia, and came to Missouri in 1844, 
settling in this county in 1849. Here they homesteaded 100 acres of 
land in Hamilton Township and set about to break up the new land. This 
had to be done with oxen and was slow and arduous labor. Their nearest 
market at first was St. Joseph, later they could trade at Brooklyn and 
Eagleville. John Grabill died on this old home place twenty-three years 
ago at the age of eighty-two years and Sallie S. (Woodward) Grabill died 
at the same place in 1911 at the age of ninety-two years. Their son, 
John A. Grabill, lived on a farm all of his life and died in 1896. His 
widow, the mother of the subject of this review, was born four miles west 
of Bethany and is eighty-one years old. She is still living on the old home 
place. 



808 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

John J. Grabill has always been a farmer. He improved a farm in 
Hamilton Township which he sold in January, 1919. He then began 
operating the farm he is now on where he has been successful. 

Mr. Grabill was married March 17, 1890, to Emma G. Choat, who was 
born in Cumberland County, Illinois, and came to Harrison County with 
her parents when she was thirteen years old. To John J. and Emma G. 
(Choat) Grabill five children were born: Bessie, deceased; Andrew, liv- 
ing in Hamilton Township ; Charlie, was in camp for six months' training 
for service in the World War, now living in Hamilton Township; Birdie, 
wife of Ralph Stilwell, of Hamilton Township ; and Mary, at home. 

Mr. Grabill is a Democrat and is a member of the United Brethren 
church. He served as justice of the peace for four years and is now the 
road overseer for District No. 3. Mr. Grabill is interested in the raising 
of Rhode Island chickens, in which line of work he has achieved success. 
He is an enterprising farmer and a man with high ideals of citizenship. 



Samuel W. Grabill, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Hamilton 
Township, is the owner of 160 acres of well-improved land and is a suc- 
cessful breeder of Shorthorn cattle. 

Mr. Grabill was born January 19, 1877, the son of Andrew and Oregon 
(Smith) Grabill, data concerning whose lives appear in connection with 
the review of the life of John J. Grabill in this volume. Samuel W. 
Grabill was the sixth of nine children born to his parents, seven of whom 
grew to maturity. These were: John J., mentioned above; Effie, 
deceased, was the wife of John Belden ; Mary, married to W. A. Smalley, 
of Hamilton Township ; Belle, now the widow of John Ragan, of Marshall 
County, Texas ; Margaret, wife of Jess R. Thompson, of Ridgeway ; Samuel 
W., the twin of Margaret and the subject of this sketch; and Fred V., 
living in Hamilton Township. 

Samuel W. Grabill attended the district school and was reared on the 
farm. He is a member of a family that for three generations has farmed 
in this county. He therefore grew up in the midst of the problems which 
the farmers of Harrison County meet. Mr. Grabill rented land until 1913 
when he bought his present farm from his grandfather, John Grabill's 
heirs. At that time the farm had only a log house on it but Mr. Grabill 
has made many improvements. He has dealt in stock all of his life and 
has been successful. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 809 

In 1901 Mr. Grabill was married to Bertie E. Thrailkill, born in Fre- 
mont County, Iowa, the daughter of Gus and Lettie (Luke) Thrailkill, the 
former a native of Kansas and the latter of Ohio and who settled in this 
county in the early days. To Mr. Grabill's union with Bertie E. Thrailkill 
seven children were born: Opal, at home; Oregon, married to Vird 
Hobbs, of Hamilton Township ; Hazel, at home ; Mary Belle, deceased ; and 
Garland, Margaret, and Leland, all living at home. 

Mr. Grabill is a Democrat. He is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows at Hatfield and of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Eagle- 
ville. He is a reliable citizen of his community, a man who believes in 
progressive movements both in his occupation and in civic affairs. 



C. J. Elliott, a well-known farmer and stockman of Hamilton Town- 
ship and the owner of 160 acres of land, has lived in this county since he 
was a lad of thirteen, when he came here with his parents. He was born 
April 20, 1865, in Mason County, Illinois, the son of J. M. and Sarah 
(Swick) Elliott, to whom eleven children were born, three of whom are 
now living: C. J., the subject of this sketch; Allie, now the widow of 
Mr. Oiks, of Los Angeles ; and S. G., living in Colfax Township. 

J. M. Elliott was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 13, 
1832. In the fall of 1849 he went to Chicago where he worked as a farm 
hand in Cook County, Illinois. He later moved to Mason County, Illinois, 
and in the fall of 1877 he came to Worth County, Missouri, and located 
on a farm near Allendale where he remained until 1896, when he came to 
Harrison County and settled on a farm in Colfax Township. Here he 
lived until his death, October 22, 1902. Mr. Elliott was a Democrat and 
was a member of the Baptist church. J. M. Elliott was married March 6, 
1856, to Sarah Swick, born in Wheeling County, West Virginia, March 15, 
1836, and died March 3, 1909. The remains of both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott 
are buried in the Masonic Cemetery at Eaglesville. 

C. J. Elliott has been a' farmer for twenty-one years. He bought his 
first land in Colfax Township in 1901 and made improvement on it. This 
land he sold in 1916 and purchased his present farm. He moved on to 
this new place in 1917 and has improved it. In connection with general 
farming, Mr. Elliott handles high-grade stock. 

On March 11, 1900, Mr. Elliott was married to Annie Hon, born and 
reared in Colfax Township. She was the daughter of Jacob and Martha 



810 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

(Brooks) Hon, the former born in Indiana and the latter a native of Ken- 
tucky. They were early settlers of Harrison County. Both are now 
dead. To the union of C. J. and Annie (Hon) Elliott nine children were 
born : Ethel, at home ; Nora, at home ; Jay, deceased ; and Alta, Charles, 
Wayne, John, Dennie, and Ralph, all living at home. 

C. J. Elliott is a Democrat but is independent in his politics. He is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America lodge. Mr. Elliott is a self- 
made man whose education was obtained largely through experience. He 
is a man of keen foresight in business and is optimistic in his outlook 
on life. 



A. C. Jones, for many years a farmer in Harrison County, is now the 
owner of 220 acres of well improved land, a part of which came to him 
through inheritance and the remainder by purchase. 

Mr. Jones was born in McHenry County, Illinois, September 20, 1861. 
His parents were Charles H. and Margaret (Stowe) Jones to whom five 
children were born, two of whom are now living: A. C, the subject of 
this review; and Frank H., living at Scammon, Kansas. 

Charles H. Jones was born in Clinton County, New York, August 5, 
1833. He was a farmer and also did carpentry work for eight years 
thei'e. He was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of 
the Latter Day Saints in which church he was a minister for thirty years. 
He came to Iowa in 1871 and in 1880 moved to Harrison County where 
he located on a farm west of Pawnee. This was the land now owned by 
D. H. McLain. In 1888 Mr. Jones came to the farm in section 32 of Ham- 
ilton TowTiship now owned by his son, A. C. Jones. Here he continued 
nis work in the church and was in St. Louis as a missionaiy for six years. 
He died September 20, 1912. His wife, Margaret (Stowe) Jones, was 
born in Clinton County, New York, February 26, 1836 and died in 1916. 
The remains of both are buried in Hamilton Township. 

A. C. Jones has made all the improvements on his farm and has 
been successful in his enterprises. He does general farming on the land. 

Mr. Jones was married March 25, 1888 to Ada Duke, born in Barren 
County, Kentucky, and reared in Colfax Township of this county. Her 
parents were James and Rebecca (Owen) Duke, natives of Barren County, 
Kentucky. To the union of A. C. and Ada (Duke) Jones four children 
were born: Nellie, deceased; Earl, living in Hamilton Township; Clara, 
married to Merry Butler of Ringgold County, Iowa; and Charles, a high 
school student at Hatfield. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 811 

Mr. Jones is an independent in politics and is a member of the Re- 
organized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Mr. Jones 
is a man of integrity and industry. He is one of the reliable and sub- 
stantial men of his community. 



Earl J. Powell, now farming the Powell estate of 520 acres in Lincoln 
Township and dealing in live stock, was born on the fanm which he now 
operates. The Powell name is well known throughout the county where 
members of the family have been progressive farmers and business men 
for three generations. 

Earl J. Powell was born January 12, 1896, the son of Fred J. and 
Laura Jane (Ballard) Powell to whom two children were born: Inez, 
now the wife of Otto Eidimann of Topeka, Kansas; and Earl J., the sub- 
ject of this review. Fred J. Powell had large land holdings in this county 
and was a successful farmer. He died in 1899 and his widow now lives 
at Ridgeway. 

Earl J. Powell grew up on the farm. He attended the Eagleville 
school and later was in school at Mexico, Missouri, St. Joseph, Missouri, 
and Chicago, Ilhnois. He remained in school until 1911 when he began 
operating the Powell estate. He has made a success of this work and is 
both enterprising and progressive in his methods of farm management. 
Mr. Powell is a veteran of the World War. He entered the service in 
February, 1918 and was sent to Camp Funston where he was assigned to 
the 89th Division, 354th Regiment, Company M. June 3, 1918 he sailed 
for France and was at the front in the battles of the Argonne, Meuse and 
St. Mihiel. He landed at Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 3, 1919 and re- 
ceived his discharge from service at Camp Funston, June 8, 1919. He 
at once returned home and again took charge of the farm where he now 
lives. 

Mr. Powell was married July 27, 1917 to Florence C. Nelson, who was 
born in Lincoln Tovmship, the daughter of 0. J. and Ella Nelson. No 
children have been born to this union. 

Mr. Powell is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Modem Woodmen of 
America lodges. He is a young man of ability whose varied experiences 
and practical training give him a keen business insight and a broad under- 
standing of the problems with which he comes in contact. 



812 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

S. M. Sheets, prominent farmer and stockman and the owner of 305 
acres of land in Colfax Township, belongs to a pioneer family of Har- 
rison County. His parents were of the intrepid and venturesome stock 
who came to this county in the early days and invested their laboi- in 
the uncertain future of the frontier land. Their courage and toil made 
possible the success that is the guerdon of their children. 

S. M. Sheets was born in Colfax Township in the house where he now 
lives the son of Andrew J. and Artemissa (Shirley) Sheets to whom eight 
children were born, only four of whom are now living: George, a lumber- 
man at Cainsville; Nora, wife of John Scott, Ensign, Kansas; John H., 
living in Colfax Township; and S. M., the subject of this review. Andrew 
J. Sheets was born in Holmes County, Ohio, September 11, 1832 and died 
in Harrison County, June 3, 1907. He was the son of Samuel and Phoebe 
(Winslaw) Sheets, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter a 
native of Rhode Island. Samuel Sheets was a farmer and butcher who 
moved to Iowa in 1852 and later died there. He and his wife had eight 
children who grew to maturity. 

Andrew J. Sheets came to Harrison County in 1854 and located on a 
farm of 160 acres in Colfax Township. He entered this land from the 
government and paid for it with a land warrant to his father-in-law. He 
set about improving his land at once. He lived in a log cabin at first and 
broke up the wild prairie land with ox teams. He used to go five miles 
to Hammer's Mill to grind his feed and meal. The family used corn meal 
instead of flour both because of the scarcity and the expense of the 
wheat. When Mr. Sheets built the house in which his son, S. M., was 
born he hauled the pine lumber for the building from St. Joseph. Most 
of the lumber used in the finishing of the interior is native walnut and 
all of the doors are of walnut and were made by hand. The lumber for 
his barn, Mr. Sheets hauled from Princeton. He was a successful farmer 
and a farsighted man of business, one of the sturdy citizens of the county. 
In politics he was an independent Democrat. He was identified with the 
Christian Church and was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons. 

Andrew Sheets was married to Artemissa Shirley, December 10, 
1854. Mrs. Sheets was born in Illinois, August 10, 1837 and died April 
26, 1874. She was the daughter of Moses and Jerusha (Hancock) Shirley, 
both natives of Kentucky. Her father was a soldier in the Black Hawk 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 813 

War who settled in this county in 1853 and entered land from the govern- 
ment. He died here many years later on the farm where his son, the 
subject of this sketch, now lives. 

S. M. Sheets grew up on the farm where he had practical training 
in farm work and in business methods under the efficient tutelage of 
his father. His father gave him the 160 acres on which the house stands. 
The patent to the land was never recorded in Harrison County until 1911, 
when the present owner had it done. Mr. Sheets has added to his land 
holdings from time to time and has been breeding Shorthorn cattle for 
the past fifteen years. In this work he has achieved success. He is 
interested in both the Farmers and Merchants and the Citizens Banks 
at Blythedale, holding stock in both institutions. 

S. M. Sheets was married November 8, 1907 to Bess Van Hoozer, 
born at Albany in Gentry County, the daughter of Hugh and Susannah 
Jane (Woodward) Van Hoozer, the former born in Tennessee and the 
latter a native of Virginia. To the union of S. M. and Bess (Van Hoozer) 
Sheets seven children were born, all living at home. They are Andi'ew 
J., Hugh v., Nora, Margaret, Harry R., Norma and Henry L. 

Mr. Sheets is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Blythedale. He is a man who has car- 
ried on well the traditions and ideals which were a part of his inheritance 
from his worthy ancestors. Harrison County is justly proud of such 
citizens. 



Blaine Powell, well known farmer, stockman and business man of 
Lincoln Township, was born and reared on the farm where he now lives. 
He has holdings of 160 acres of land and operates more than 730 acres 
on which he does general farming. He also feeds cattle, shipping at 
least a car load each year. Mr. Powell holds the responsible position of 
the president of the Bank of Hatfield and attends to the details of this 
position in connection with his various other pursuits. 

Mr. Powell was born September 16, 1883, the son of Riley W. and 
Villa (Heaston) Powell to whom two children were born: Myrtle, mar- 
ried to William Humphrey and living at San Francisco, California; and 
Blaine, the subject of this review. 

Riley W. Powell was bom at Elizabeth, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, 
July 19, 1855, the son of Greenberry and Eliza Powell, a review of whose 



814 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

lives appear in connection with the sketch of the Hfe of George A. Powell 
in this volume. Riley W. Powell was a successful farmer and stockman 
all of his life and owned 600 acres of land at the time of his death, Octo- 
ber 27, 1912. He was the president of the Bank of Hatfield from the 
time of the organization of that institution until his death and served it 
most efficiently. He was identified with the Christian Church and helped 
to organize and build the church at Hatfield. He was a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons and the Knights of Pythias lodges. He was a man who did 
much for his community, maintaining a deep interest in various activities 
and possessing high ideals of civic welfare. He was married in 1878 to 
Villa Heaston, who was born in Decatur County, Iowa, in 1860. Since 
the death of Mr. Powell she lives at Hatfield. 

Blaine Powell was educated in the district schools and later attended 
the Grant City High School and the normal at Stanbeny, Missouri, from 
which he graduated in the commercial course in 1902. In 1908 he entered 
the State University at Columbia, Missouri and took the course in agri- 
culture. He came home in March, 1909 and entered his present line of 
work in which he has achieved a mai'ked success. 

On October 6, 1909, Mr. Powell was married to Dale Haas, a native 
of Worth County, the daughter of William and Sadie (Ross) Haas, both 
natives of Ohio and early settlers in Missouri. They are both living. To 
Blaine and Dale (Haas) Powell two children, twins, have been born, Glee 
Haas and Helen Gail, born August 30, 1917. 

Mr. Powell is a Republican and is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows lodge at Allendale. Upon the death of his father, Blaine 
Powell was elected to succeed him as president of the Bank of Hatfield. 
His wide acquaintance with people and his varied experience which has 
put him in close touch with numerous problems in farming, stock raising 
and business make him a valuable asset to the bank. He is a man of 
keen business foresight and of progressive ideas. 



The Bank of Hatfield is an institution that has most successfully met 
the needs of the community which supports it. It was organized on 
February 17, 1903 by men who with two exceptions were farmers. The 
first stockholders were: D. L. Heaston, of Topeka, Kansas; Oscar A. 
Curry, attorney at Eagleville; and the other organizers, all farmers, Riley 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 815 

W. Powell, of Lincoln Township; Henry C. Heaston, of Lincoln Town- 
ship; E. L. Donelson, of Hamilton Township; and George A. Powell, of 
Colfax Township. The bank opened for business with a capital stock of 
$10,000.00, and with the following officers: Riley W. Powell, president; 
E. L. Donelson, vice president; and J. H. Gatley, cashier. 

In the year of 1910 the capital stock was increased from $10,000.00 
to $20,000.00 while under R. W. Powell's management, he thinking the 
business justified the increase. 

In the years of its existence the bank has justified the faith of the 
men who organized it and has served a valuable purpose in the county. 
The present standing of the institution is indicated by the official state- 
ment of June 30, 1921 which ran as follows : 

Resources. 

Loans and discounts, undoubtedly good on personal or collateral_$57,631.15 

Loans, real estate 9,445.00 

Overdrafts 49.50 

Real estate (banking house) 1,600.00 

Furniture and fixtures 2,295.00 

Due from other banks and bankei's subject to check 8,986.36 

Cash items 153.13 

Cash on hand (currency, gold, silver and other coin) 2,105.93 

Other resources: Customers bonds 5,800.00 

Total $88,066.07 

Liabilities. 

Capital stock paid in $20,000.00 

Surplus fund 5,000.00 

Undivided profits, net 4,068.62 

Individual deposits subject to check 31,992.95 

Time certificates of deposit 16,201.34 

Demand certificates of deposit and cashier's checks 3.16 

Bills payable and rediscounts 5,000.00 

Other liabilities: Bond deposit 5,800.00 

Total $88,066.07 



816 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The present officers of the bank are : Blaine Powell, president ; E. L. 
Donelson, vice president; and G. H. Adair, cashier. The directors are: 
Blaine Powell, E. L. Donelson, J. R. Hunsicker, J. L. Schardein and George 
A. Powell. These men are all efficient officers and have proved their 
loyalty and worth to the institution. 



W. C. Humphrey, an attorney at Hatfield and a teacher in District 
No. 33, is one of the oldest teachers in Harrison County. He has served 
the schools in various ways and in many places. He taught at Martins- 
ville and other places and was the principal at Allendale, Denver, Hatfield 
and Brooklyn. He has always been reckoned one of the successful 
teachers of the county. 

Mr. Humphrey was bom on a farm near South Boston, Washington 
County, Indiana, and was educated in the Salem Academy at Salem, 
Indiana. 

W. C. Humphrey taught school at and near New Philadelphia and 
was principal at Philadelphia, Indiana, for four years. In 1886 he came 
to Harrison County and settled near Washington Center, Washington 
Township and again took up his life work of teaching. While he was in 
Denver, Missouri, he began the study of law with Mr. Miller. In this he 
became proficient and in 1895 he went to Bethany to appear before a 
committee for examination in law. Judge Wanamaker, the editor of this 
volume was a member of the examining committee which admitted Mr. 
Humphrey to the bar. Mr. Humphrey now combines his teaching with 
his legal work and is successful in both. 

Mr. Humphrey was married in 1888 to Addie B. Smith, daughter of 
Solomon and Nancy Smith and to this union four children were born: 
Two children who died in infancy; Chauncey, now living at Kirk, Colo- 
rado; and Laura, deceased. She was an efficient teacher before her 
marriage. 

Mr. Humphrey attended the State Teacher's Training School at War- 
rensburg, Missouri, in 1891 and 1892 and was licensed to teach in county 
institutes. He taught in Worth County institute in 1891 and Mercer 
County Teacher's Institute in 1892. He is the type of man who means 
much to a county, for he has practically devoted his life to the work of 
building up the county educationally. To such men we owe much of our 
present efficiency in citizenship. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 817 

Andrew J. Knott, a prominent citizen of Ridgeway, Missouri, who is 
now living practically retired after a successful career as a farmer and 
stockman in Harrison County, is a native of Indiana. He was born at 
Winchester, Randolph County, December 4, 1852, and is a son of William 
and Margaret (Clark) Knott. 

William Knott came to Harrison County in 1884, and spent the re- 
mainder of his life here engaged in farming and stock raising. He died 
November 1, 1899. His wife was bom March 19, 1824, and died June 
18, 1888. They were the parents of the following children: Smith A., 
who died in 1904; Mary E., died in 1918; John L., mairied Mary Rich- 
mond, and they live in Lincoln, Nebraska; William C, married Anna 
Smith, of Harrison County and they live at Shreveport, Louisiana; 
Charles H., married Emma Hass, and lives in Ringgold County, Iowa; 
Frank E., died in infancy ; and Andrew J., the subject of this sketch. 

Andrew J. Knott went to Illinois with his parents when he was quite 
young. They located in Tazewell County and here he grew to manhood 
and received his education in the public schools and attended high school 
at Delevan, Illinois, for two years. He followed farming and stock rais- 
ing for a time in Illinois and in 1876 came to Missouri and settled on a 
farm in Harrison County. Here he carried on general fanning and raised 
stock extensively, making a specialty of Poland China Hogs and Shorthorn 
cattle. His farm consists of 320 acres of well improved and productive 
land which he still owns. He retired from the active operation of his 
farm in 1900, although he continued personal supervision of the place. 
In 1919, he bought a comfortable home in Ridgeway and has since resided 
here. 

Mr. Knott was married to Miss Ella LaBee, a native of Delevan, Illi- 
nois. She is a daughter of Wilham and Eliza (Holmes) LaBee, the former 
a French-Canadian, and the latter a native of England. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Knott have been born the following children: Charles W. married Clara 
M. Gruver and they live at Hatfield on his father's farm ; Myrtle, mar- 
ried George D. Heaston, St. Joseph, Missouri ; Gertrude G., married T. W. 
Peterson and they live near Ridgeway; Walter R,, married Eunice Hop- 
kins and he died November 11, 1918, and his widow now resides in St. 
Joseph, Missouri; Mary B., married C. A. Butler, Decatur County, Iowa; 
and Clyde, died February 20, 1894, at the age of five years. 

Mr. Knott is a Democrat and has always taken a good citizens interest 
in public affairs. He served as tovniship tinistee for a number of years 
(47) 



818 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

and for twenty years was a notary public. Mr. Knott is a member of 
the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America at Hatfield, Missouri. He and Mrs. Knott are 
members of the Christian Church and are highly esteemed members of 
the community. 



D. P. Moore, whose parents were among the early settlers of Har- 
rison County, was born in Wapello County, Iowa, March 3, 1861, the son 
of Jasper and Mary (Stuttsman) Moore. 

Jasper Moore was born in Indiana in 1833 but left that state when 
he was only a lad to go with his parents, Samuel and Mary (Sears) Moore 
to Illinois where they settled near Bloomington and the father followed 
the vocation of a tanner. Jasper Moore later went to Iowa and in the 
fall of 1867 he came to Missouri where he settled in Harrison County and 
bought 120 acres of land in Washington Township. He was married in 
Lee County, Iowa, to Mary Stuttsman, born in Iowa, June 30, 1833 and 
to this union five children were born: Ella, wife of J. H. Murphy, of 
Daviess County; S. A., living at Stanberry; D. P., the subject of this 
sketch; G. W., living east of Ridgeway; and Emma Sarah, the wife of 
G. C. Rice of Arizona. Mrs. Moore died in 1914 and Jasper Moore died 
August 7, 1919 at his home in Washington Township. He was a Demo- 
crat and was a member of the Church of God which he helped to organize 
in his community. 

D. P. Moore came to this county with his parents and remained with 
them until the spring of 1882 when he was twenty-one years old. He 
bought his present farm of 3I6I/2 acres in Washington Township and has 
made all the improvements on it. Mr. Moore is a practical farmer who 
had excellent instruction in farm management when he was growing up 
by meeting the practical questions that arose on his father's farm. He 
therefore came to the work on his own land well equipped with valuable 
information. 

D. P. Moore was married March 5, 1882 to Ara Hogan, who was bom 
in Union Township, the daughter of J. J. and Nannie (Fancher) Hogan, 
both natives of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore thirteen children were 
born: A. C, Washington Township; Charlie, residing in Iowa; Blanch, 
married C. M. Ayers of Washington Township ; Ocy, wife of R. A. Snethen, 
of Winner, South Dakota; Ed, of Lincoln Township; Scott, living in Kan- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 819 

sas City, Missouri; Chester, at home; D. P., Jr., at home; Ruth, Hving at 
home; Helen Eva, died at the age of six months. Mr. Moore's second 
marriage was to Sylvia A. Meeker to whom he was married March 15, 1899 
at Stanberry, Missouri, and to this union one child, Albert L., has been 
born. 

Mr. Moore is a Democrat and is a member of the Church of God. 
His recollections of the early days in Harrison County are very interest- 
ing. He says that it was simply all "out of doors" in his boyhood. Mr. 
Moore is an industrious and reliable man who well merits the esteem in 
which he is held. 



Dr. B. R. Treasure, a well known and successful physician and sur- 
geon of Bethany, Missouri, is a native of Gentry County. He was born 
March 23, 1871, a son of Jacob D. and Catherine (Gibbony) Treasure. 

Jacob D. Treasure was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1818 
and came to Harrison County from his native state about 1844. He first 
settled on a farm about four miles west of Ridgeway. Later he ex- 
changed that farm with Judge Jeffries for a farm in Gentry County and 
spent the remainder of his life in Gentry County where he was engaged 
in farming and stock raising. He learned the blacksmith trade and 
worked at it in early life but later devoted his entire attention to farm- 
ing. During the Civil War he served in the state militia. He died July 
8, 1897. His wife was also a native of Kentucky and died in Gentry 
County, Missouri, December 30, 1910. 

Doctor Treasure has one brother, Charles L. Treasure, who lives In 
Mercer County, Missouri. Doctor Treasure was educated in the public 
schools of Gentry County and the Stanberry Normial School at Stanberry, 
Missouri. He taught school for a time in Gentry and Harrison counties 
and then entered Central Medical College at St. Joseph, Missouri and was 
graduated from that institution in 1902 with the degree of Doctor of 
Medicine. He then engaged in the practice of his profession in Mercer 
County and later removed to Gentry County where he successfully pi-ac- 
ticed medicine until 1920. He then located at Bethany where he has a 
large general practice. While Doctor Treasure has been a resident of 
Bethany for a short time he has been well known as a successful physician 
in Harrison County throughout his professional career, having been 
located in adjacent counties his practice has extended into this county. 



820 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Doctor Treasure was married in 1895 to Miss Deborah Clark, a native 
of Harrison County, bom in Butler Township. She is a daughter of John 
T. Clark who was an early pioneer settler of that township. To Doctor 
and Mrs. Treasure has been born one child, Doctor Charles B. Treasure. 

Doctor Charles B. Treasure is a successful practicing dentist of Beth- 
any and he and his father occupy the same suite of offices. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools and the State Teachers College at Maryville, 
Missouri. He then took the course in the Kansas City Dental College 
where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. 
During the World War he served as first .lieutenant in the Dental Corps 
and during most of the time was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. 

During the World War, Dr. B. R. Treasure was commissioned first 
lieutenant in the Medical Corps and was stationed most of the time at 
Camp Henry Knox, Kentucky. 

He is a capable physician and has always been a close student of the 
advances made in the great science of the medical profession. 



Z. T. Melvin, a well known citizen of Ridgeway, who is now living re- 
tired, was bom in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1848 and is a son of George 
P. and Mary Ann (Brown) Melvin, both natives of Ohio. The father 
was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company D, 18th Wisconsin 
Infantry. The parents are both dead. The father died in Tennessee and 
the mother in Wisconsin. Z. T. Melvin is one of the following children 
born to his parents: John P., married Armilda Beck, deceased, and he 
lives near Bloomingdale, Wisconsin ; Winfield Scott, married Lucy Roberts 
and they live in La Farge, Wisconsin ; Mary L., married John Brow, Viro- 
qua, Wisconsin; George W., married Allie Showen, deceased, and he 
lives in Mesby, Wisconsin; and Z. T., the subject of this sketch; A. L., 
died in Montana. 

Z. T. Melvin removed to Wisconsin with his parents when he was a 
child six years old. They settled in Vernon County, that state, and there 
he grew to manhood and attended the public schools. He came to Har- 
rison County, Missouri, in 1889 and engaged in fanning and stock raising 
at Lorraine. He was successful in his undertakings and actively engaged 
in agricultural pursuits until 1920, when he sold his farm. He then 
bought a home in Ridgeway where he is now living retired after a suc- 
cessful career. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 821 

Mr. Melvin was married in 1872, to Miss Jane Silbaugh, of Vernon 
County, Wisconsin, a native of Perry County, Ohio. She is a daughtef 
of Edward and Catherine (Aker) Silbaugh, the former a native of Penn- 
sylvania and the latter of New York. Mrs. Melvin's parents spent their 
lives near Viroqua, Wisconsin, and are buried at Asbury Cemetery. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin have been born the following children: George E., 
died November 13, 1913 ; William H., married Lizzie Shroff and they live 
in Union Township, near Eagleville; and Addie G., married Fred Hillyard 
and they live near Bethany in Jefferson Township. 

Mr. Melvin has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows Lodge for over forty years and is one of the dependable citizens 
of Harrison County. He has always been a Republican. 



George F. Perkins, a Civil War veteran, of Ridgeway, Missouri, who 
for many years was engaged in contracting and building is now living 
retired. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, December 25, 1847, and 
is the son of Louis and Lucinda (Forest) Perldns, the former a native of 
Boston, Massachusetts, and the latter of Guernsey County, Ohio. The 
father was a carpenter and died August 5, 1864, and the mother survived 
him many years. She died in Ridgeway, Missouri, in 1913. They were 
the parents of the following children : Jennings, died at Parsons, Kansas, 
in 1911; John A., died in California, in 1918; Mary, died at Ridgeway, 
Missouri, in 1917; Minerva, resides at Ridgeway, Missouri; and George 
F., the subject of this sketch. 

George F. Perkins was educated in the public schools of Illinois, where 
his parents had located when he was young. When the Civil War broke 
out, he was too young for military service. However, he enlisted in the 
Union army, December 28, 1864, and sei^ved until after the close of the 
war and received his honorable discharge, September 13, 1865. Mr. Per- 
kins began life as a bridge builder and later worked at the carpenter 
trade. When he came to Harrison County, he settled on a farm of forty 
acres where he remained for eight years. He then removed to Ridge- 
way, where he has a six acre tract of land. He has been interested in 
contracting and building all his life but for the past six years has been 
living practically retired. 

Mr. Perkins was married March 12, 1868, to Margaret Henry, and to 
this union has been bom the following children : Emma I., married Ruf us 



822 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Hopkins and they live in Montana; Albert, a Spanish- American War vet- 
eran, who is now engaged in the real estate business at Akroii, Ohio; 
Josephine married Dr. W. E. Merrihew, D. D., and they now live in 
Nebraska; William L., a civil engineer and architect, of Chariton, Iowa, 
married Jessie Yeater. 

Mr. Perkins is a member of the Masonic Lodge and has been clerk of 
the Ridgeway Lodge for twelve years. He is a Republican and sei-ved as 
township collector for ten years and was census taker of Grant Township 
in 1900. Mrs. Perkins is a Democrat. They are members of the Meth- 
odist Church. 



Wesley Bowman, a prominent fanner and stockman of Marion Town- 
ship, and a former county judge of Harrison County, is a native of Illi- 
nois. He was born in Logan County, Illinois, December 28, 1867, and is 
the son of Isaac and Mildred (Kampmann) Bowman. Isaac Bowman 
came to Harrison County in 1869 and here followed farming and stock 
raising during the remainder of his life. 

Judge Wesley Bowman was reared in Harrison County and educated 
in the Round Grove district school and the subscription schools of three 
months taught by Prof. H. S. Birgon, of Ridgeway, Missouri. He engaged 
in farming and stock raising in early life and has met with success. He 
was elected a member of the county court of Harrison County in 1912, 
and held that office until 1917. He made a good record as a public official 
and always gave the closest attention to the duties of his office and per- 
formed the public business in the same careful and conscientious manner 
which has always characterized his attention to his own private affairs. 
He gave the people of Harrison County a good administration as county 
judge. 

Judge Bowman was married in 1898 to Miss Lillian M. Pittman, a 
native of Ohio, and to this union were born the following children : Cecil, 
married S. F. Booth and they live in Trail Creek Township; Nada R., mar- 
ried Earl Chapman and they live in Marion Township; Audry, died in 
infancy ; Faye, died when nine years old ; and Marion A., died in infancy. 

Judge Bowman is a member of the Christian Church and holds mem- 
bership in the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat and has been an active worker in 
the ranks of the local organization for many years. He has always taken 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 823 

an active interest in local affairs and has served as township trustee of 
Marion Township and has been justice of the peace for twelve years. He 
is a public spirited man and has an extensive acquaintance in Harrison 
County. 



Noah Snell, a well known and highly respected citizen of Ridgeway, 
who is now living retired after a successful career as a farmer and stock 
raiser in Harrison County, is a native of Missouri, and a member of a 
pioneer family of this state. He was born at Snell's Mills, December 16, 
1852, and is a son of Noah and Mary A. (Jobe) Snell. 

Noah Snell, the father, was born in Greenbriar County, now West 
Virginia, in 1805, and his wife was a native of Daviess County, Missouri. 
Noah Snell, Sr. came from Virginia to Missouri and settled near Liberty, 
Clay County, in 1840. He was a trapper in early life and later operated 
a saw mill and conducted a general store. He died in 1854 and his widow 
departed this life in 1902. 

Noah Snell was first married in 1874 to Anne Bonner, a native of 
St. Louis, Missouri. She died in 1910, leaving one daughter, Claudia M., 
who married Charles Buzzard and they now reside at Long Beach, Cali- 
fornia. Mr. Snell was married the second time to Mary B. Cook, a native 
of Andrew County, Missouri. No children have been bom to this mar- 
riage. 

Mr. Snell has an extensive acquaintance in Harrison County, and is a 
highly respected and substantial citizen. 



Henry A. Rinehart, a prominent farmer of Marion Township, is a 
member of a pioneer family, of Harrison County. He is the son of Peter 
and Eliza (Johnson) Rinehart. 

Peter Rinehart settled in Marion Township in 1856 and engaged in 
farming and stock raising and has had a successful career and he and his 
wife now reside in that township. They are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Harvey, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Frank, 
lives in Marion Township ; Elmer, who also lives in Marion Township ; and 
Henry, the subject of this sketch. 

Henry A. Rinehart was reared to manhood on the home place in 
Marion Township and began his independent career as a farmer and stock- 
man at an early age. He first started with fifty acres of land and has 



824 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

increased his acreage from time to time and is now the owner of 190 
acres of well improved and valuable land. He carries on general farming 
and stock raising and is one of the successful men in his line in Harrison 
County. 

Mr. Rinehart was married in 1895 to Miss Mary E. Taylor, of Ridge- 
way, Missouri, where her parents now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart 
have been born the following children: Letha, married Carl E. Bone and 
they reside in Ridgeway, Missouri, and Garland A., who resides on the 
home place with his parents. 

Mr. Rinehart has always been identified with the Republican party 
and has served as township trustee of Marion Township for four years. 
He is a member of the Christian Church and holds membership in the 
Masonic Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America and the American Brother- 
hood of Yeomen. He is a stockholder in the Commercial State Bank of 
Ridgeway and a member of the board of directors of that institution. 
He is a progressive and enterprising citizen and is known for his integrity. 



J. T. Jefiferies, popular manager of the Farmers Produce Company, 
at Ridgeway, Missouri, was born in Union Tov^^^ship, Harrison County, 
Missouri, December 23, 1866, the son of G. B. and Mary (Lindsay) 
Jefiferies. 

G. B. Jefiferies came to Harrison County from Kentucky in 1862. 
His wife was a native of Henry County, Kentucky. Their children were : 
Herbert L., now married to Clara Hefener and living in Marion Town- 
ship; L. D., died of heart failure; and J. T., the subject of this sketch. 

J. T. Jefiferies was educated at Lorraine in Jeflferson Tovraship. After 
he completed his schooling he" rented a farm. He continued to rent for 
fifteen years when he bought the sixty acres known as the old Bain place. 
He farmed this place for twenty years then moved to Ridgeway and 
worked for O. P. Bennett for ten years. At the end of that time, he 
bought the Bridges grocery store and ran it for a year, when he sold the 
store and took charge of the Farmers Produce Company, which position 
he has filled capably and efficiently. Mr. Jefiferies owns a ten acre tract 
of ground on which he has a nice home. 

J. T. Jefiferies was married in 1866 to Anna Briggs, a native of Iowa, 
in which state her parents lived. To J. T. and Anna (Briggs) Jefiferies 
the following children were born: Bertha, now married to Homer E. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 825 

Gutridge and living in St. Joseph, Missouri; Clarence, who died at the 
age of ten; and Truman D. Leo, thirteen years of age and now in the 
seventh grade of the Ridgeway public school. 

Mr. Jefferies is a member of the Yeoman Lodge and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Methodist Church 
and is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Jefferies is one of the men who by 
pluck and energy, succeeded in the days when Harrison County was being 
built up. 



Mark L. Belden, an enterprising business man, of Ridgeway, who is 
engaged in the grain business there and conducts the Ridgeway Elevator, 
is a native of Michigan. He was born March 24, 1868 and is the son of 
Francis J. and Helen (Mabie) Belden. 

Francis J. Belden was a native of Vermont and his wife was born in 
the state of New York. Early in life they removed to Michigan and in 
1884, when Mark L. Belden was sixteen years old, the family came to 
Missouri and settled in Lincoln Township, Harrison County, and here the 
parents spent the remainder of Hieir lives. 

To Francis J. and Helen (Mabie) Belden were born the following 
children: John S., who married Effie Graybill, and she is now deceased, 
and he was married again and now lives at Anthony, Kansas ; Frank, mar- 
ried Lizzie Clouse and lives at Cambridge, Kansas; Ella, married 0. J. 
Nelson and is now deceased; Clara, married G. A. Lloyd, of Hillsdale, 
Kansas ; Kate, married A. C. Nelson, Ford City, Missouri ; and Mark L., 
the subject of this sketch. 

Mark L. Belden received his education in the public schools of Mich- 
igan and early in life engaged in farming. He owns 150 acres of land 
and followed farming and stock raising for a few years. He then engaged 
in business at Eagleville, where he remained seven years and was after- 
wards located in business at Hatfield for five years. In 1917, he took 
charge of the Ridgeway elevator and has conducted the grain business 
there to the present time. This elevator affords a good market for the 
farmers in the vicinity of Ridgeway and Mr. Belden does an extensive 
business. 

Mr. Belden was married in 1892 to Miss Lillie Armstrong and the 
following children have been bom to them: George mamed Gertrude 
Adair and lives in Bethany, Missouri; Lois, lives with her father; Lee, 



826 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

who served in the aviation section of the navy during the World War, and 
at the time of his death in 1920, he was connected with the Donelson 
Motor Company, of Ridgeway, Missouri. 

Mr. Belden is a Repubhcan and has always taken an active interest 
in local affairs. He served as collector of Lincoln Township for three 
terms and served in the same capacity for two terms in Grant Township. 
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Wood- 
men of America and the Brotherhood of America Yeomen and holds 
membership in the United Brethren Church. 



John Alfred Lilly — The country home of John Alfred Lilly, now 
deceased, is located four and one-half miles southeast of Ridgeway in 
Harrison County and still the home of his widow, Emma B. Lilly. It has 
always been a home which once visited is not soon forgotten. The name 
was identified with this section before the war. It has been associated 
with some of the most progressive features of farming enterprise and 
as home makers and people of intrinsic value, culture and morality and 
high ideals few families in northwest Missouri have a better record, if 
any. 

John Alfred Lilly was born in Livingston County, Missouri, April the 
15, 1860, but lived in Harrison County since 1861, and the present fami 
contains land that was entered by his grandfather as early as 1856. The 
family came to Missouri about 1850 and located in Livingston County. 
Grandfather John Lilly had lived in several states before he came to Mis- 
souri. He was born in Maryland in 1796, was reared in Virginia, and 
when a young man moved to Park County, Indiana, where he married 
Rebecca Storms, moving later to Ross County, Ohio, and thence to Han- 
cock County where his wife died. In that state he married for his second 
wife Rebecca Mathews and in moving out to Missouri, they came with 
teams and wagons, the only mode of travel in that day and attended with 
many dangers. They located at what was known as Muddy Lane in Liv- 
ingston County. The grandfather died there in 1863 and his wife died 
later at the home of her son, P. H. Lilly, at Jamesport. The old Lilly 
Church still stands by the cemetery, near Jamesport. 

The children of the first union were Joseph M., who died in Livingston 
County and with his wife sleeps in the home burial grovmd; Allie Rose, 
left a large family ; Elizabeth, married John T. Carnes and died in Jasper 
County, Missouri; Mary A., married John Browning and died in Hancock 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 827 

County, Illinois; their only child, John Polk Browning, departed this life 
about a year ago at the Browning homestead. 

One of the venerable and highly respected citizens of Harrison 
County was John Lilly, son of the above John and father of John Alfred. 
He was born December 14, 1833, in Ross County, Ohio, and died in Ridge- 
way, Missouri, August the 4, 1916. Most of his youth was spent in Han- 
cock County, Illinois, where he attended the country schools. He was one 
of the best informed men in the county. In early life he became a farmer 
and followed it all through his vigorous career. He grew to manhood in 
northwest Missouri and in 1861 enlisted in the army at Bethany, in Capt. 
John A. Page's company of the Sixth Missouri Infantry, under Col. E. C. 
Catherwood. His command saw service in Arkansas, Missouri and Indian 
Territory, was at Fort Smith when it was captured from the enemy, and 
was in the fight at Newtonia, Arkansas. He was mustered out at the 
close of the war with an honorable discharge and escaped wounds or 
capture. Although he spent the last twenty years of his life in Ridge- 
way, living a life of quiet and retired from the farm, yet he achieved 
many things to his credit. He had a knack of succeeding often where 
others failed, and came to own and control 600 acres of land and at one 
time was the largest fruit grower in Harrison County. He planted ex- 
tensive orchards of apples, pears, peaches, plums and cherries and also 
derived revenues from stock raising which at that time was a very re- 
munerative business, as the country was all free range. His father before 
him was of Whig affiliations and he regularly gave his own support to the 
Republican party. 

John Lilly married Artimissa Westfall, who was born at Quincy, Illi- 
nois, and daughter of Alfred Westfall. She died at the old Lilly home- 
stead in Harrison County, October 21, 1892. The children born of this 
union were Angeline, who is now the wife of Lycurgus Edwards, of Howell 
County, Missouri. She was first married to Newton Beeson, who was the 
father of her children ; Jane, man-ied Joel Harrold, of Blythedale, Mis- 
souri ; Elizabeth is the wife of Alfred C. Sellers, of Ridgeway ; John Alfred, 
the subject of this sketch; Joseph Milton died at Ridgeway, leaving a 
widow and children ; Clara R., married Caleb Young, of Ridgeway ; Cath- 
erine, married Woodson Baber, of Jamesport; Rose, married Norman 
Johnson, of Ridgeway and lives on the old homestead, and Charles died 
in childhood. At the death of their son, Charles, they platted and deeded 
to the public a portion of ground at the northwest corner of the home- 



828 HISTORY OP HAKRISON COUNTY 

stead and he was the first to be buried there at the Lilly Cemetery in Har- 
rison County. For his second wife John Lilly married Alice Burwell, who 
is the mother of one child, Mrs. Vesper Ann Dodd, of St. Louis, Missouri. 

John Alfred Lilly grew up on the farm he bought from three genera- 
tions of heirs and spent the thirty-seven years of his mamed life there. 
He was educated in the district schools. The home quarter section where 
the buildings are, being a part of the original Lilly homestead but when 
passing into his possession became known as "Lillyhurst Hereford Farms." 
Mr. Lilly lived with his parents until of age and the day after his mar- 
riage at Ridgeway, moved to the place which was to be the scene of his 
successes and failures, with which all the memories and associations of 
his mature life were identified. The land when first occupied by Mr. and 
Mrs. Lilly was a piece of wild prairie. It had never produced a crop 
under cultivation, and the house they lived in for several years was a 
single room 14 x 15 feet. All their children were born while they lived 
there except one. 

As a farmer, Mr. Lilly was both a grain and stockman. By purchase 
and additions his farm came to contain 460 acres; he also owned town 
property. Like his father before him, he planted large orchards. One 
plat, containing twenty-five acres, had all varieties of fruit that would 
grow in this locality, and in one respect was the most interesting feature 
of the homestead. The family always made a specialty of flowers, both 
annuals and perennials, and their home was always a place of delight to 
flower lovers. Shrubs and trees also grew in profusion. The lawn is 
shaded with maple, elm, box elder and the beautiful redbud, while in the 
garden are found the chestnut and white walnut, the latter a disappoint- 
ment as far as fruiting is concerned. 

As a stockman, Mr. Lilly bred Herefords for over twenty years; his 
cattle were all registered stock and he held a membership in the Here- 
ford Association. The old "Defender" blood headed his herd in the be- 
ginning and in later years he bought the prize winning blood for the sires 
of his herd. The poultry yards of the farm at one time, not only con- 
tained geese, turkeys, guineas and ducks, but nine different varieties of 
chickens which were kept in separate yards and sold for breeding pur- 
poses. They were among the first people in Harrison County to have a 
revenue of from five to six hundred dollars from their poultry in a single 
year, while at the present time that amount would be a common average 
over the country, Harrison County being first in the state in poultry. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 829 

Mr. Lilly was always a Republican, though voting- for Roosevelt in 
1912. He declined the nomination for representative in the legislature, 
believing his work at home worth more to the people and his home than 
elsewhere. He was an elder in the Christian Church for many years and 
for many years was janitor, chorister and superintendent of the work at 
the Midway Church, close to his home. Some years he paid three-fourths 
of the minister's salary. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lilly were married at Ridgeway, Missouri, November 
25, 1883. In addition to the cares of a home and a family Mrs. Lilly has 
shown her ability in acquiring a more than local reputation as a journalist. 
Money was not plentiful in those days and she took to writing for those 
periodicals which they so much wished for but had not the money to pay. 
From that she became ambitious to have the checks mean more than the 
price of the papers and began contributing to such magazines as Mc- 
Clures, The Century, McCalls, the Brown Book, the Christian Evangelist, 
Standard and many others. Mrs. Lilly was formerly a school teacher and 
for many years a deaconess in the church. She is a graduate of the 
White Cross School of Nursing at Jamestown, New York, of the military 
sisterhood and like every other mother during the war, worked incessantly 
to alleviate in any way the suffering here or abroad. She wrote hun- 
dreds of letters to those who were without mothers, the homey letters 
that make a boy wish he could live a better life and go home to those he 
loved with a clean record and as a reward, the home legion boys. Com- 
pany G, and especially the old National Guard honored her by asking 
her to dedicate a war song of which she is the author to them. Their 
major (Maj. Randal Wilson) wrote the words which dedicated the song 
to the home boys. The title of the song is to "My Sweetheart Sue" and 
is full of the heart throbs of a soldier boy on Flander field, written by 
Mrs. Lilly because a buddie was afraid his sweetheart would forget him 
while he was away. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lilly belonged to all temperance movements and 
Mrs. Lilly has been in the secret service for that organization for many 
years. Mrs. Lilly was born December 25, 1862 at LaFayette, Wisconsin, 
her maiden name being Emma Burwell. Her parents were Jediah Bur- 
well and Lucinda Wilcox Denton Burwell. The former was born in West- 
moreland County, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1826; in 1850 went to 
LaFayette County, Wisconsin, where he married and ten years later 
moved to Missouri, locating in Daviess County at old Civil Bend. In 1872, 



830 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

he moved to Harrison County. A cooper by trade, he followed farming 
in Missouri. He was an ordained exhorter in the Free Will Baptist 
Church, but finding none of the organization in his locality, he joined the 
close communion order but never lived up to that tenet of their church, 
claiming- for himself the right to commune with all Christian orders and 
work with all churches for the welfare of mankind. He never amassed 
wealth but left to his children a far greater inheritance; he schooled all 
so they were able to take their place among the teachers and scholars and 
left them a memory of a life filled with good works. He died January 
25, 1891 and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Blythedale, Missouri. 
His first wife was a Miss Haver, of Pennsylvania and their children were 
Sarah, who married John Ethridge, of Monroe, Wisconsin ; Anna, who 
married Edmond Opdyke, of Ridgeway, Missouri ; Henry C, of Little Rock, 
Arkansas; Ella, who married J. T. Travis and lives at Lincoln, Nebraska; 
James H., who married Ida McCoy, of Lincoln, Nebraska and where they 
make their home. Lucinda Wilcox Denton, a widow with one son, Jason 
Denton, was his second wife and was born at Pittston, Pennsylvania, 
September 12, 1832. Mrs. Burwell died at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. J. A. Lilly, December 22, 1912, near Ridgeway and sleeps beside her 
husband in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Blythedale. By her marriage to Jediah 
Burwell there were the following children: John, who died in infancy; 
Mrs. J. A. Lilly, of Ridgeway ; A. G., of Lane, Kansas, who married Emma 
Brown, of Kansas ; Melissa, who married George Jones of May, Okla- 
home; Ira B., who married Minnie Roper of Civil Bend, Missouri, and 
whose home is at Excelsior Springs, Missouri ; Lewis, who died in infancy 
and Charles H., who married Sarah Jones of Ridgeway and whose home 
is Laverne, Oklahoma; the j'oungest child, a son, died at birth. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lilly are John Ralph Lilly, a farmer 
near the old home, married Ida J. Reeder and their children are Clarence 
Leroy and Ernest Raymond (the first time in six generations that the 
first son in every generation had not been named John) ; Nellie is the 
wife of C. M. Reeder, of Ridgeway, a Baptist minister and their children 
are Esther Charlotta, Esta Claire, Charles Washington, John Wilbur, Wil- 
liam Paul and James Lawrence; Charles Burwell, married Lelie Henry, 
of Ridgeway and their child is Elizabeth Mei'lin, Flag, Arkansas ; Jeanne 
is the wife of G. W. Newell, of Richlea, Saskatchewan, Canada, and their 
children are Helen Emily, Georgia Ann, and William John; Joseph West- 
fall, married Hazel Arvin, of Blythedale and their daughter's name is 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 831 

Kathalene Irene ; and an infant son died at birth ; they too are farmers 
and live near the old home. The daughter, Mrs. Reader, was educated in 
the Bethany High School and was a teacher until her marriage. Mrs. 
Newell finished the four year course at Ridgeway and the Warrensburg 
Normal and was also a teacher until she married and moved to Canada. 
The sons' schooling quit with the Ridgeway school, as they all returned 
to the farm and all have good homes. 

Mr. Lilly's health was failing at the beginning of the war and his 
health failed so rapidly that death came to him unexpectedly in a stroke 
of paralysis and he departed this life September 6, 1920, just one week 
after the stroke came, but never was at any time able to make known 
a single want or wish in any way. He was buried September 9, 1920, in 
the home cemetery beneath the pines he loved. 



E. G. Kemp, an enterprising farmer of Grant Township, was 
bom in Henry County, Kentucky, March 14, 1853, the son of John and 
Fannie (Hutchinson) Kemp, both natives of Kentucky. They were mar- 
ried in Kentucky and came to Harrison County with their two children 
in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp drove overland from Kentucky along with 
four or five other families and the grandfather of the present subject. 
They settled on the Old Trail and John Kemp preempted forty acres of 
land southwest of Lorraine. He later bought other land and carried on 
farming and stockraising most successfully. He died in 1910 and his 
wife died in 1918. They are buried in Morris Chapel Cemetery. 

E. G. Kemp was one of twelve children. The others now living are: 
Eliza, now Mrs. Ramey, living near Lorraine; James Taylor, deceased; 
William, living in v/estern Kansas; Jefferson, of Harrison County; Perry, 
deceased; Henry, living in this county; Thomas, a resident of Oklahoma; 
Lestie, now Mrs. McDougal, of Jefferson Township; and Rose, living in 
this county. 

E. G. Kemp grew to manhood in Harrison County. He attended the 
old McCollum school, one of the pioneer schools of the state with the old 
slab benches and desks around the outer walls. He began to plough at 
the age of eight years, doing a man's work driving four yoke of oxen and 
breaking the prairie land. When he was twelve years old, he worked in 
the harvest field along with the men. His father reached Missouri with 
only seventy-five dollars as his cash asset, and his family experienced all 
the hardships that were the heritage of the sturdy pioneers who built 



832 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

up homes in Missouri in the early days. The family lived in Missouri 
during the Civil War and experienced all the vicissitudes of that trying 
period. In 1880, E. G. Kemp went out to the mountains. As a young 
man he had gone to Kansas, but did not remain long. In 1883, he went 
to Kingman County, Kansas, and took up a homestead which he farmed for 
five years when he returned to Harrison County after selling his Kansas 
land. He was at Lorraine, Harrison County, for a year and then bought 
eighty acres of his present place, later adding to it until he now owns 
1521/2 acres. He has improved his farm, remodeling the house and add- 
ing to the farm buildings. He carries on general farming and stock 
raising, keeping mostly black Poll-Angus cattle. 

Mr. Kemp was mamed in 1881, to Rosetta Rakestraw, now deceased. 
To this union six children were born, four of whom are now living: Mary, 
married Oscar Baker, of Grant Township; Charles, a resident of Kansas 
City, Kansas ; Minnie, married to Nelse Hahn, of Grant Township ; and 
EfRe May, married to John Morris of Salt Lake, Utah. After the death 
of his first wife, Mr. Kemp married Alberteen Bridges, whose first hus- 
band was Lon Eaton. Mrs. Alberteen (Bridges) Kemp was a resident 
of Ridgeway at the time of her second marriage. A son, Elza Eaton, 
was born to her first union, now living at Holly, Colorado. 

Mr. Kemp is a member of the Methodist Church and has been a 
Democrat all of his life. Mr. Kemp is one of the substantial citizens of 
his community. 



Harry Thomas, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman 
of Grant Township, is one of the successful men of Harrison County. He 
began life as a poor boy and by hard work and close attention to business 
he has become one of the well-to-do men of the county. He is the owner 
of 280 acres of valuable and productive land. 

Mr. Thomas was born in Monroe County, Indiana, May 2, 1875, and 
is a son of James Benjamin and Amanda (Foreman) Thomas. The 
father was a native of Indiana and the mother was born in Ohio, and both 
spent their lives in Indiana. They were the parents of six children. 

Harry Thomas was reared to manhood in Indiana and came to Mis- 
souri in 1904, and located in Harrison County. He first worked as a farm 
hand for Mr. Ines and was thus employed for two years. He then 
operated rented land for eight years and in 1914 he bought 160 acres of 
land which constitutes his home place. Later he bought 120 acres more 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 833 

and now owns a splendid farm of 280 acres. His place is well improved 
and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He usually has on 
hand about twenty-five head of cattle and now has forty head of sheep 
and forty-five head of hogs and keeps nine horses and mules. In addition 
to operating his own place he operates some rented land and the past 
season he raised twenty-five acres of oats on land which he rented. 

Mr. Thomas was married in 1904 to Miss Pauley, of Indiana, and 
three daughters have been born to them: Edith Merle, Nellie Agnes and 
Nora Belle, all of whom reside at home with their parents. 

Mr. Thomas is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. 
He is a dependable citizen and is well known and highly respected in 
Harrison County. 



Dr. E. L. Stoughton, a prominent physician of Harrison County, who 
is engaged in the practice of his profession at Ridgeway, Missouri, is a 
native of this county and a descendant of early settlers here. He was 
born in Trail Creek Township about three miles west of Moriah, Febiiiary 
16, 1881, and is a son of N. N. and Emma (Stodden) Stoughton. both 
natives of Ohio. 

The Stoughton family is an old American family of English origin. 
N. N. Stoughton was reared in Ohio and served in the Union army in the 
Civil War. Shortly after the close of that conflict he came to Missouri 
and settled in Trail Creek Township, Harrison County, where for a num- 
ber of years he was engaged in farming and stock raising. However, dur- 
ing the last fifteen years of his life he was engaged in the mercantile 
business at Mount Moriah. He was a Democrat and took an active part 
in local politics. He served as Democratic committeeman of Trail Creek 
Township for a number of years. He was a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. He died June 11, 1904 and his wife preceded him in 
death a number of years. She died in 1886 when Doctor Stoughton, the 
subject of this sketch was about five years old. They were the parents 
of seven children, four of whom are now living. 

Doctor Stoughton was reared in Trail Creek Towaiship and received 
his education in the public schools. After acquiring a good public school 
education he entered the Keokuk Medical College at Keokuk, Iowa. After 
studying medicine in that institution two years he entered the College of 
Physicians at Chicago, Illinois, where he was graduated with a degree of 
Doctor of Medicine in 1903. He then entered the Kansas City of Pharm- 
(48) 



834 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

acy and Natural Science and was graduated from that institution in 
1904. He then engaged in the practice of medicine at Mount Moriah and 
at the same time conducted a drug store there. He continued the practice 
there until 1906 when he removed to Ridgeway and engaged in the prac- 
tice and conducted a drug store until 1917. During that year he dis- 
posed of his drug business and since that time he has devoted himself 
exclusively to his large and growing practice. He is a capable physician 
and has won the well merited confidence of the public by his exacting 
devotion to his professional duties. 

Doctor Stoughton was married August 31, 1904 to Miss Edna Mae 
Riley, of Kansas City, and a native of Chicago. To Doctor and Mrs. 
Stoughton has been born one son, Riley. 

Doctor Stoughton is a progressing and enterprising citizen and has 
a number of interests outside of his profession. He was one of the five 
citizens of Ridgeway who built the new Ridgeway Hotel. As a matter 
of civic pride and public convenience. He is a director in the First 
National Bank of Moriah and takes an active part in all movements, the 
object of which is for the betterment and upbuilding of the community. 
He is a member of the Masonic lodge. 



William S. Walker a well known merchant of Bethany and pioneer 
of this county, was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, October 
16, 1842, the son of Daniel and Mary Jane (Edmonson) Walker, who came 
to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1843, driving through by wagon and were 
three months on the road. When they first settled here the postoffice 
at which they received mail was Liberty, Missouri, more than 100 miles 
south of here. They located one-half mile east of the present site of 
Matkins in Butler Township and entered 160 acres of land, which he im- 
proved, but later sold and bought the Edmonson farm adjoining. He died 
there about 1864 and is buried in Matkins Cemetery. His wife died in 
Andrew County, Missouri and is buried at Flag Springs. 

Daniel and Mary Jane (Edmonson) Walker were the parents of the 
following children: William S., John G., of near Matkins, Missouri; 
David N., who died in New Haven, Connecticut; and James M., who died 
in Clay County, Missouri. 

William S. Walker was educated in the public schools of this county 
and engaged in farming until forty years of age, when he bought a store 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 835 

at Flag Springs in Andrew County, going in partnership with John L. 
Yates. He was there for eight years and sold out and moved to King 
City, Missouri, where he was in business for eight years. He came to 
Bethany in 1898 and opened a general store on the south side of the 
square and moved to the present location in April, 1916. 

William S. Walker was married the first time November 1, 1866 in 
Concord, Kentucky, to Catherine Calvert, a daughter of Clifton and Mary 
J. Calvert. Mrs. Walker died April 30, 1902 and is buried in Bethany, 
Missouri in Miriam Cemetery. Their children were Mary J., the wife of 
J. B. Slemmons of Bethany; Robert L., of Kansas City, Missouri; James 
M., a partner of this firm; and George P., also a partner. By a second 
marriage in 1903 to Emma Hubbard, a daughter of E. L. Hubbard and 
wife of Bethany, Missouri, Mr. Walker had two children: Walter, who 
died at the age of seven years and Ralph, a student in the Bethany High 
School. 

Mr. Walker was postmaster of Bethany, Missouri for seven years 
under Woodrow Wilson's administration, being appointed in 1913. He 
made an excellent official. He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 

William S. Walker served three years in the Confederate army dur- 
ing the Civil War. He enlisted from Harrison County with Company G 
under Captain Patterson. This company was reorganized at Springfield, 
Missouri, at which time Mr. Walker was put in Battalion No. 1 under 
Captain Chiles and later was under Colonel Gates. He was wounded in 
the neck at the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, by a grape shot. At 
Champion Hill he was taken prisoner and a month later escaped while at 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on his way to Point Lookout. While at Har- 
risburg he met an Irishman who came to the train and asked the prisoners 
if they wished a drink. The Irishman indicated to Mr. Walker that he 
would assist him to escape if he and one other could manage to get out 
of the car that night. Mr. Walker and a Mr. Lynn climbed out as the 
train was leaving the yards and lay down on the track until the train was 
out of sight and then met the Irishman at a nearby hedge. He took 
care of them in his home, procured clothing for them and assisted them 
in getting out of town and also in getting work. After the war closed 
Mr. Walker returned to Bethany, Missouri, where he has since lived. He 
has many friends throughout the county and is one of the highly re- 
spected and honored citizens. 



836 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

The Slemmons-Walker Department store occupies three floors and 
carries a Une of dry goods, clothing, ladies* ready-to-wear, groceries, 
queensware and is one of the fine stores of northern Missouri. James B. 
Slemmons, James M. Walker and George P. Walker comprise the present 
firm, the brothers being sons of William S. Walker. 



George P. Walker, a prominent citizen of Bethany, and a member 
of the firm of Slemmons and Walker, leading merchants of this city, was 
born in Andrew County, Missouri, December 5, 1875, the son of William 
S. and Catherine (Calvert) Walker. George Walker was educated in the 
King City grade school and spent one year in the high school there. At 
the age of fifteen he began working in his father's King City store and 
has been engaged in the mercantile business all of his life. George P. 
Walker is in charge of the dry goods department, Mr. Slemmons the cloth- 
ing department and James M. Walker is head of the grocery and queens- 
ware department. 

George P. Walker was married April 3, 1910 to Lois E. Barnes, a 
daughter of C. S. and Emma Barnes of Bethany, Missouri. Mrs. Walker 
was born near Bethany and was educated in this county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Walker have a daughter, Emma Nadine. 



Jackson E. Walker, with the Slemmons and Walker Company, of 
Bethany, was born in Bethany November 14, 1898, the son of R. L. and 
Bettie Walker of this city. Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Walker were the parents 
of the following children: Catherine, the wife of Kenneth Robinson; 
Fred, Robert Lee and Bert, of Bethany, Missouri. 

Jackson E. Walker received his education in the public schools of 
Bethany and enlisted January 29, 1914 in the 4th Regiment of the Mis- 
souri National Guards, and served until February 4, 1919, being mustered 
out when a member of the 69th Infantry of the 10th Regiment at Camp 
Funston, Kansas. He went to the Mexican border with Company G 
under Capt. Randall Wilson and on January 29, 1917, was furloughed to 
the reserve. He reenlisted in Company G May, 1917 and went ovei-seas 
ahead of the division, leaving in March, 1918. He attended the musket 
and bayonet school at Chauta Sur Seine and was transferred back to the 
35th Division and was with them in the Alsace Lorraine sector and was 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 837 

in a trench raid while on duty there. He was transferred back to the 
United States in August, 1918 as an instructor at Camp Funston, where 
he remained until the close of the war. Since then he has been with the 
present firm. 

Mr. Walker is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Bethany and 
is well known. 



William Thornton Templeman, member of the firm of Cuddy and 
Dunn and a director of the Bethany Trust Company, is well known in the 
business circles of Harrison County. He was born at Bethany, December 
27, 1872, the son of William A. and Emeline (Allen) Templeman. His 
father is now deceased and his mother lives at Bethany. 

Mr. Templeman was educated in the public school of Bethany. He 
has served in various capacities in coimection with the business world, 
beginning as a delivery boy for the Cornelison grocery when he was only 
a boy. Later he, with his brother John A., bought the Bethany Demo- 
crat which they conducted for some time. While he was working on the 
paper, Mr. Templeman was appointed a messenger in the House of Repre- 
sentatives in Washington, D. C. He held this position for two years and 
was then made the private secretary of Hon. Alexander M. Dockery, 
Representative from the Third Congressional District of Missouri. Mr. 
Templeman remained in this position for four years when, in 1899, he 
returned to Bethany and took up work with the Cuddy and Dunn depart- 
ment store. His business experience, as well as his broad knowledge of 
commercial affairs, made his services valuable to the finn and in 1906, 
he was made a member of the well known and historic company. He is 
now the head of the clothing department in the store. 

His father, William A. Templeman, was born February 14, 1835, in 
Fauquier County, Virginia and was brought to Moniteau County, Mis- 
souri in 1839 by his parents, Thornton Hume Templeman and wife, Har- 
riet (Patton) Templeman. In 1851, the family moved to Grundy County, 
Missouri and in 1854 to Bethany, Missouri. 

William A. Templeman was one of the leading merchants of Bethany 
for many years and in the early sixties conducted a newspaper, the 
"Weekly Union", which was afterwards sold to Henry Howe. Mr. Tem- 
pleman was also county collector of this county for a term of two years. 
He died at Bethany, Missouri, September 11, 1909. On August 9, 1855, 
William A. Templeman was married to Emeline Allen, daughter of John 



838 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

S. and Nancy (Childress) Allen, of Bethany, Missouri. Of the life of 
John S. Allen and his part in the pioneer business and official life of the 
county frequent notice appears elsewhere in this volume. The family 
of William A. and Emeline Templeman consists of the following named 
children: Mrs. Rosa A. Vandivert, deceased; Bessie, wife of George W. 
Wanamaker, of Bethany; John Allen, of Austin, Texas; Harriet, wife of 
Taylor E. Stone, of Bethany; Nancy Elizabeth, who died in childhood; 
Mrs. Emma Oxford and William Thornton each of Bethany, and Marion, 
wife of Virgil E. Yates, of Bethany. 

Thornton Hume Templeman was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, 
May 20, 1806. He was the son of Fielding Templeman and his wife, Han- 
nah (Hume) Templeman. He came to Bethany in 1854, at which place 
he resided until his death in 1873. Here he engaged in the mercantile 
business with his son, William A. Templeman, and also held the office of 
postmaster for fourteen years. At one time he held the office of mayor 
and also served the county as probate judge for four years. He was a 
man of excellent education and at an early day was president of Bethany 
Collegiate Institute. He was married to Harriet Patton December 17, 
1833, in Stafford County, Virginia. 

Fielding Templeman's father was Edward Templeman, who was a 
Revolutionary soldier and was in the battle of Yorktown. He also was a 
soldier in the War of 1812. The Templemans were an English family and 
the Humes were Scotch. 

Harriet (Patton) Templeman was a daughter of William Patton, a 
soldier of the War of 1812 who died of camp fever. His father, Sgt. 
George Patton, born in Inverness, Scotland, was a Revolutionary soldier 
and was in the battle of the Brandywine. 

William T. Templeman, the subject of this review, was married to 
Mary Smith, November 9, 1898. She is a daughter of William and Emma 
Price Smith, both deceased. William Smith was a son of Robert and 
Mary Smith and was born in County Antrim, Ireland, April 20, 1845. He 
came with his parents to the United States when seven years of age, liv- 
ing at Akron, Ohio until about 1870, when he came to Missouri. During 
the Civil War he enlisted at the age of eighteen years in Company I, 
11th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After coming to Missouri he 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits almost continually until his death in 
1897; at one time he and William A. Templeman were business partners. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 839 

William Smith was married November 5, 1873 to Emma Price, a 
daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Jackson) Price. She was born October 
28, 1854 in Wabash County, Indiana and died in Bethany, Missouri, Sep- 
tember 5, 1891. Their children are Mary, wife of William T. Templeman; 
Blanche, wife of B. P. Sigler and two sons, Ross and Charles, both of 
St. Joseph, Missouri 

The children of William T. and Mary Templeman are: Alexander 
Dockery, born October 5, 1899, now a student at the American School of 
Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, and Robert Smith, born August 7, 
1901, now a student at the University of Missouri. 



Jacob J. Francis, deceased, was a native of New York, where he was 
born near Buffalo in Erie County, May 22, 1833, the son of George and 
Lucy (Earl) Francis. He was a descendant of an English lord whom 
the English King had chosen to colonize a coloney in America near where 
Buffalo, New York was afterwards built. 

Jacob J. Francis' father, George Francis, was born May 4, 1799, of 
English-French and Irish descent and a native of New York colony. He 
died near Plymouth, Indiana, February 22, 1875, at his old homestead. 
Jacob J. Francis' mother, Miss Lucy Earl, was born September 24, 1806, 
of Dutch-Scotch descent and a native of New York colony. She died at 
her son Jacob J. Francis' home near Ridgeway, Missouri, January 2, 1879. 

Jacob J. Francis was three years of age when his parents moved 
from New York to Indiana, near where Plymouth was afterwards built. 
Here they took a government homestead. His playmates, when a child, 
were Indian children, for out of their seven neighbor families, four were 
Indians. His parents' association and friendship with the Indians saved 
their lives in many Indian massacres. 

He lived with his parents in Indiana until manhood, helping to culti- 
vate the old homestead. And at the age of about twenty-three he went 
to Illinois where he met Miss Violet A. Brock, to whom he afterwards 
was married. 

Violet A. Brock, deceased, was born near Atlanta, DeWitt County, 
Illinois, October 23, 1841, the daughter of Francis Marion Brock and 
Mary Ann (Ackerson) Brock. Her father, Francis Marion Brock, was 
bom in Ohio, February 6, 1819, of German-Irish descent and a native of 
Ohio. He died January 4, 1901, near Ridgeway, Missouri at his son 



840 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Charley Brock's home. Her mother, Miss Mary Ann Ackerson, was born 
in Ohio, November 22, 1822, of Irish-German descent, and a native of 
Ohio. She died October 24, 1864, at her home near Atlanta, Illinois. 
Violet A. Brock grew to womanhood near Waynesville, Illinois, in the 
neighborhood where her parents first settled after marriage. They moved 
but once during her youth and that less than one-fourth mile from their 
old government homestead. She remaining at her home with her par- 
ents until meeting Jacob J. Francis, to whom she was afterwards married. 

Jacob J. Francis and his wife, Violet A. (Brock) Francis, followed 
farming in Illinois for about ten years, then moved overland to Indiana, 
where they followed farming as before until about 1873, or four years, 
when they again moved overland to Illinois. Here they followed farming 
and stock raising until 1876 when they moved, as before, overland, bringing 
about six horses and about eight milch cows to Harrison County, Missouri. 
When first reaching their destination in June, 1876, they rented a small 
house and some land on the north side of the road from what was called 
the old Buckley Farm, about three and one-half miles south of Eagleville, 
Missouri. Here they lived until the following March, when they moved 
upon a 240-acre farm, known as the old Hunt Farm, about two miles 
east of Lorraine and two and one-half miles southwest of where Ridge- 
way, Missouri was afterwards built. At this time their family consisted 
of five girls and three boys. The oldest about sixteen and the youngest 
less than one year of age. The entire family having quite good health 
and ready to take part in the farm life of such a primitive country as it 
was at that time. One could stand near the house and see and hear wild 
turkey gobblers as they would strut along the bank of an old buffalo 
wallow, less than three-fourths of a mile west of the house. Besides the 
wild turkey, there were many other wild animals, such as the antelope, 
panther, wild-cat, gray and brown wolf and fox, besides many smaller 
animals which are plentiful in the country today. 

Jacob J. Francis and wife's home consisted of a log house of one 
large room and a large garret above it. Also a frame kitchen attached 
to the log house. Soon after locating here, they built a large one and 
one-half story frame room joining the old log house on the east. This 
house they lived in for many years until about the time Ridgeway, Mis- 
souri was started, when they built the nine-room house that is now on 
the farm. The old log bam was large enough to hold four horses in each 
end and contained a space between to store away grain. The barn also 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 841 

had a hay-mow large enough to hold about eight tons of unbaled hay. 
This barn was used until about 1890, when a frame barn 36x40 feet and 
containing mow room for about sixteen tons of unbaled hay was built. 
The other improvements were very scant, a few light poultry houses, 
only about seventeen acres of land broke and about the same number of 
acres fenced, some of the fence being what they used to call brush fence, 
a row of brush piled quite high, expecting it to serve as a protection 
against stock. The entire farm was fenced and cross-fenced in a few 
years, there being seven miles of fence. The blue grass sod and hazel 
brush gave away to the plow, until there was about 200 acres in cultivation. 
Jacob J. Francis was a successful farmer and stockraiser. He was a 
horticulturist of local fame and had one of the largest orchards in this 
part of the state at that time. Mr. Francis and family took great pride 
in the orchard and constantly improved it by the use of progressive 
methods. 

Jacob J. Francis and wife moved to Ridgeway, Missouri, in 1908 and 
made their home the remainder of their lives, she dying there January 
26, 1916, at the age of seventy-four years, three months and three days. 
He dying at the same house March 31, 1917, at the age of eighty-three 
years, ten months and nine days. They were buried in the Ridgeway 
Cemetery. To them were born ten children: Mary L. Francis, deceased; 
Mrs. Lillia B. Rakestraw, of Prosser, Washington; Orren W. Francis, of 
Lakin, Kansas; Mrs. Alice A. Peters, of Kansas City, Missouri; George 
M. Francis, of Ridgeway. Missouri; Mrs. Edith J. Tuggle, of Ridgeway, 
Missouri; Oscar S. Francis, of Ridgeway, Missouri; Mrs. Maud B. Hefner, 
of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mrs. Jeanette G. Korte, of Kansas City, 
Missouri, and Dr. Harry H. Francis, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Before the 
death of the parents a part of the old farm was sold to Mr. Dick Glenn, 
a neighbor, Oscar and George Francis buying 160 acres, Oscar Francis 
now, December, 1921, living on the old farm. 

Dr. George M. Francis was reared in Grant Township, where he at- 
tended the rural school, later attending the Ridgeway High School and 
also attending college at Stanberry and Business College at Bethany, Mis- 
souri. He taught in the rural schools for a while and then went to Kear- 
ney County, Kansas, where h homesteaded land and taught school in 
Lakin and Hartland. His services as a teacher covered nineteen years in 
Kansas and Missouri, two years of which time he taught shorthand and 
typewriting in the Merwin Normal College at Merwin, Missouri. He was 



842 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

a student in Carver Chiropractic College, from which he graduated in the 
three year D. C. course in December, 1920. Since that time he has 
engaged in the practice of his profession at Ridgeway. 

Doctor Francis is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America and 
attends the Methodist Church. He is a thorough, capable man in his 
profession and is building up a good practice. As Ridgeway is his old 
home town, he has an extensive acquaintance both there and in the sur- 
rounding community, and he has the confidence of the public. He is a 
worthy son of his father, Jacob J. Francis, who was one of the highly 
esteemed men of his day in the community where he lived. 



Charles L. Osmon, a veteran of the World War, whose home is in 
Union Township, is a native of Harrison County. He was born July 
21, 1892, and is a son of Charles L., Sr., and Lucy A. (Peasley) Osmon. 
Charles L. Osmon, Sr., served in the Union Army during the Civil War, 
having enlisted in 1862, and served until the close of the war. 

Charles L. Osmon, Jr., entered the United States Army during the 
World War, April 1, 1918, and after a period of training at Camp Fun- 
ston, Kansas, where he served as a member of the Depot Brigade, and 
on April 24, 1918, he was transferred to the 89th Division. On June 
4, 1918, he sailed with his command on the United States Transport, 
Coronia, and landed at Liverpool, England, June 18th. Shortly after- 
wards they crossed the English Channel, landing at La Harve, France. 
From that point they went by train to the interior of France, and soon 
after took a position at the front. 

He was in the Beaucouville Xavier trenches from August 8th until 
September 19th and afterwards on the Verdun front. Mr. Osmon was 
at the battle of Argonne Forest, the Meuse River engagement and St. 
Mihiel. When the Armistice was signed he was at Bueford, not far 
from Sedan. He then went to Germany with the American Amiy of 
Occupation. On the march into Germany the army traveled thirty-five 
miles per day. He was in a hospital from December 29, 1918, until Febru- 
ary 19, 1919. He then joined his old outfit and remained with the Army 
of Occupation until April 1, 1919, when he returned to France, and after 
taking a course in Agriculture in one of the Universities there, he went 
to Marseilles, France. He embarked at that port for the United States, 
sailing through the Mediterranean Sea, along the coast of Africa and 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 843 

after a fourteen days' voyage landed in America. He then returned to 
his home in Harrison County, where lie has since resided. 

He is one of the progressive young men of Union Township, and has 
a wide acquaintance and many friends. 



E. H. Frisby, a prominent lawyer of Bethany who has extensive in- 
terests here, is a native of Harrison County. He was born at Bethany, 
Missouri, October 17, 1862, and is a son of Jonathan C. and Sarah (Briggs) 
Frisby, both natives of Ohio who came from that state to Harrison County 
in 1858. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county after 
coming here. 

E. H. Frisby was one of a family of eight children born to his par- 
ents. He was educated in the public schools of Harrison County and the 
University of Michigan where he was graduated in 1883. He then 
engaged in the practice of law at Bethany, and has practiced here since 
that time. 

Mr. Frisby has various other interests besides his extensive law 
practice. He was one of the incorporators of the Harrison County Bank 
in 1888 and has been one of the directors of the bank since that time; 
he has also been secretary of the bank all these years. He is also a 
director of the Bethany Savings Bank, president of the Bethany Printing 
Company and president of the Harrison County Abstract Company. Dur- 
ing the course of his practice he has specialized in real estate law and 
dealt extensively in land, and is a large land owner in Harrison County.. 

Mr. Frisby is a republican and has served as prosecuting attorney 
and state senator. He has taken an active part in the development of 
highways and was one of the promoters and organizers of the Jefferson 
Highway, having served as vice president of that organization for a 
number years and has been president since January, 1921. 

Mr. Frisby was married April 20, 1885, to Miss Eva M. Tucker, a 
native of Harrison County and a member of a pioneer family here. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Frisby have ben born three children: Lane, who teaches 
music in St. Louis School for the Blind; Frank M., an attorney at Bethany; 
and Lottie, who died at the age of twenty. 

Mr. Frisby is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Knights 
of Pythias lodge. 



844 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

Genevieve Bazan, Red Cross Nurse of the Department of Public 
Health of Harrison County, is performing a service of vital importance 
to Harrison County, although a field that has long been neglected. Her 
work is more especially directed to the schools of the county, although not 
exclusively so, as more fully set forth in another chapter of this work. 

Miss Bazan is a capable young woman and a thoroughly schooled 
and skilled professional nurse, with a thorough training and broad prac- 
tical experience in this field. She is a native of Missouri, bom at St. 
Louis, the daughter of Dr. L. A. Bazan, a well known and successful 
physician who is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Moberly, 
Missouri. 

Miss Bazan had the following brothers and sisters: Thomas, St. 
Joseph, Missouri ; Helen, died in childhood ; Lieut. Theodore B., was killed 
in the Battle of Argonne Forest; L. Marion, married Robert Caldwell, 
Mobei'ly, Missouri ; Francis A., Moberly, Missouri ; and Margie J., at home 
with her parents, Moberly, Missouri. 

Regarding Miss Bazan's brother, Lieut. Theodore B. Bazan, the follow- 
ing is taken from Waller's History of Randolph County: 

Lieut. Theodore B. Bazan, in whose honor the American Legion Post 
No. 6, of Moberly, Missouri, was named, will long be remembered as one 
who gave his life to his country and died a heoric and self sacrificing 
death. He was bom at St. Joseph, Missouri, July 29, 1895, and attended 
the school there for five years. After the family removed to Saline County 
he also attended the school there and later at Salisbury, Missouri. He 
then attended the public schools of Clark and Moberly, graduating from 
the high school at Moberly. He then entered the State University at 
Columbia, Mo., where he took the medical course for two years and when 
the United States entered the World War he entered the OflScer's Training 
School at Ft. Riley, Kansas, in May, 1917, and after a period of training 
he was commissioned a second lieutenant in August of the same year and 
assigned for the 138th Infantry, and on April 20, 1918, he was promoted 
to first lieutenant. In May, 1918, he went to France with his command 
and was stationed in Vosges Mountains, and also participated in the 
engagement at Verdun. He also participated in the great drive in the 
Argonne Forest, and as that great battle raged on September 27th, he 
was mortally wounded during the evening between six and ten o'clock. 
His death was due to the explosion of a high power shell, which tore away 
the right side of his abdoman. As he lay mortally wounded a detail of 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 845 

soldiers came to care for him, and he, knowing that he was mortally 
wounded and that he could not live long, requested the detail to not give 
him any attention but ordered them to direct their attention to others less 
severly wounded, that their lives might be saved, and while waiting there 
he died and was buried on the field of honor. Lieutenant Bazan's re- 
mains were brought to America in 1921 and buried in the National Ceme- 
tery at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. 

Genevieve Bazan graduated from high school and received a good 
preparatory education. She then entered training as a nurse in Woodland 
Hospital at Moberly, Missouri. She was afterwards employed at that in- 
stitution as night supervisor for a time. She then engaged in private duty 
for awhile and then took a post graduate course of six months in the Cook 
County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. From there she went to the Toledo 
Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, where she held an institutional position about a 
year. She then returned to her home at Moberly and was engaged in 
private duty until the United States entered the World Vv^ar. Miss Bazan 
then entered the service as nurse and was stationed at Jefferson Barracks 
until after the close of the war when she was discharged. She then re- 
turned to Moberly and after being engaged in private work for a time, she 
took a post graduate course in Public Health in St. Louis. This course is 
given in connection with the University of Missouri. 

In May, 1921, Miss Bazan accepted her present position as Red Cross 
Public Nurse of Harrison County. She is thorough, earnest and con- 
scientious in her work and is accomplishing good results. This is prac- 
tically a new field, and much of the work is of a constructive nature which 
requires energy as well as ability, and Miss Bazan possesses both of these 
requisite qualities. 



Charles B. Adams, of Trail Creek Township, Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, is the famous baseball player known as "Babe" Adams, the noted 
pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was bom May 18, 1882, at Tipton, 
Indiana, and came to Mount Moriah, in Harrison County, Missouri, with 
his parents, March 1, 1898. On March 2, 1909, he was manied to Blanche 
Wright, of Mt. Moriah, Missouri. They have two children: Mary Eliza- 
beth, born June 19, 1916, and Virginia Lee, bom June 21, 1918. 

Charles Adams is the son of Samuel Adams and his wife Nancy 
Jane (Tower) Adams. The father, Samuel Adams, was born in Switzer- 



846 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

land County, Indiana, March 11, 1846, and was married to Nancy Jane 
Tower in 1870, who was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, April 9, 
1852. Of this marriage thirteen children were born; Zella, Aaron, Eva, 
Delcina, Minerva, Carrie, Charles, India, Grace, James, Elbert, Alonzo and 
Edna. 

Mrs. Blanche (Wright) Adams is the daughter of George W. Wright 
and his wife Emza Jane (Gray) Wright. He was bom June 2, 1850, 
at Rockford, Illinois, and she was bom January 13, 1847, at Morgantown, 
Virginia. He came to Mt. Moriah from Iowa in 1870. They were married 
November 25, 1875, and have four children: Joseph Wright, now de- 
ceased; Marie (Wright) Wanamaker, wife of Ernest Wanamaker; Eliza- 
beth Jane Gellispie, wife of Charles Gellispie ; and Blanche Adams, wife of 
Charles B. Adams, the subject of this sketch. 

George W. Wright, the father of Mrs. Charles Adams, was the son 
of Jesse Wright, who with his father, David Wright, in 1844, come from 
Kennebec County, Maine, to Boone County, Illinois. David Wright mar- 
ried Polly Briggs Pettingill and Jesse Wright married Elizabeth Remick. 
He was born February 14, 1821, and died January 7, 1894, at Glenwood, 
Iowa. Jesse's wife, Elizabeth Remick, was born in Maine, February 7, 
1826, and died January 3, 1908, at Glenwood, Iowa. 

The Wright family came from England to Massachusetts. An ances- 
tor of George named Josiah Wright was a Revolutionary soldier, and his 
son, Silas Wright, was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

Elizabeth Remick was the daughter of Phillip and Abigail Remick, 
and was born in Maine. She was a descendant of Christian Remick, born 
in 1631, who emigrated from Holland to Old Kittery, Maine. The Rem- 
icks for four generations were shipbuilders, and they built the "Ranger 
and Kearsarge." 

Eniza Jane Gray, who became the wife of George W. Wright, was the 
daughter of Joseph Gray and Jane (Lindsay) Gray. Joseph Gray was 
bom at Morgantown, Virginia, January 15, 1785 and was married July, 
1822, to Jane Lindsay, who was born in 1803. They came to Harrison 
County, Missouri, in 1855 where they resided until their death. He 
died in 1890 at the age of 105 and she in 1894. He was commissioned 
a lieutenant in the War of 1812, but peace was declared before he reached 
the field of action. His father William Gray was a Revolutionary soldier 
and was buried at Morgantown, Virginia. His wife was Ann Austin. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 847 

Charles Adams began playing professional baseball in 1904 with 
Parsons, Kansas. In 1906 he was given a trial with St. Louis Nationals 
and sent by them the latter part of 1906 to Louisville, Kentucky, in 
the American Association. In 1909 he was sent to Denver, Colorado, in 
the Western League. In 1908 Pittsburgh Nationals bought him and later 
farmed him out to Louisville, Kentucky. He was recalled and on April 
27, 1909, began his National League career. He played with Pittsburgh 
for twelve years, with the exceptions of 1917-1918, when he was re- 
leased from Pittsburgh and played in the Western League and the Amer- 
ican Association, when Pittsburgh again bought him in 1918, and he has 
been with them since. 

The following is from the Philadelphia Press: 

Last season this remarkable athlete stood second in the pitching 
averages of the National League and he fairly won the honor. With con- 
trol that was marvelous, perhaps the like has never been seen on big 
league diamonds, for of the 1035 batsmen who faced him last season only 
18 were permitted to walk to first base and in the last two seasons, or 
since he staged his comeback, some 2052 faced Adams and only 41 were 
granted free passes. 

Adams always possessed good control, during his entire career in 
the big leagues he issued but 328 passes in 2476 innings, or equal to 275 
full games that he pitched. In his full career in the National League, 
"Babe" pitched 256 games that counted in the won and lost columns and 
his percentage in games won stands .600. 

A colorful and an exceedingly brilliant career on the diamond has 
been his allotment. 

Adams gained fame in 1909 when he beat Detroit in the World's Series 
and his pitching during the season of 1921 was equally marvelous. Harri- 
son County is justly proud of "Babe" Adams. 



A. F. Woodruff, now a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was 
for forty-one years a citizen of Harrison and Mercer counties, Mis- 
souri; twenty-six of which were spent in Bethany. He removed to 
Colorado Springs May 31, 1899. He was born in Scioto County, Ohio, 
December 11, 1848; his father was A S. Woodruff", and his mother 
Martha (McCall) Woodruff. On the date of his birth his parents were 
living on the north bank of Ohio River, about nine miles below Ports- 



848 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

mouth, Ohio. He is of Scotch-English descent. His Woodruff fore- 
bears came to the United States several generations back from some 
place in England and settled on Long Island, New York, near South- 
hampton. From that place some of the family removed to Camden, 
New Jersey, among them being his grandfather, Benjamin Woodruff. 
While Benjamin Woodruff was living in Camden, and on March 24, 
1793, he married Jane Shepherd, who lived at the time of the marriage 
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From Camden, New Jersey, Benjamin 
Woodruff migrated about the year 1810, to the southern part of Ohio, 
and settled in Adams County in a neighborhood called the Irish Bottoms, 
near the town of Buena Vista. Here he lived until his death, which oc- 
curred about twenty years later. He is buried in the Sandy Springs 
burying ground, near Buena Vista, Ohio. 

A. F. Woodruff's maternal grandfather, Solomon McCall, migrated 
from Argyleshier, Scotland about the year 1773. His father was op- 
posed to his sons going to America, and refused to give them aid in 
the way of passage money. On account of this refusal Solomon McCall 
apprenticed himself to a ship captain to pay for his passage, and after 
reaching America he worked for a considerable time for this captain, 
a man named Barton, whose daughter, Sarah, he married on March 
18, 1789. His descendants have always spoken of this apprenticship as 
his having "sold himself" to the captain for his passage. He landed 
at some point on the eastern coast of the United States, and gradually 
worked his way West to Scioto County, Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch was left an orphan at the age of five 
years by the death of his mother, his father having died three years 
before. In 1858, at the age of ten years, he removed to Harrison County, 
Missouri, in company with his brother of the halfblood, A. J. Tucker, 
in whose family he grew to womanhood. He was without an estate, and 
the relatives with whom he lived were not forehanded, Ihence wei'e 
unable to give him good educational advantages, but he managed to get 
some education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and on arriving 
at the age of twenty-one years he went to Leon, Iowa, where he took a 
course of three years in the Leon High School. The course of study in 
that school was neither broad nor deep, but is served as an excellent foun- 
dation upon which to build in after years. Having completed this course, 
he taught school in the country districts for three years, but disliking 
this business very much he abandoned it, and in the spring of 1872 



HISTORY OP HARRISON COUNTY 849 

secured work in a lumber yard in Princeton, Missouri, and never after 
attempted school teaching. 

In the year 1872 he began the study of law at home, and after- 
wards continued the study to better purpose, first in the office of Hyde 
& Orton, and subsequently with C. M. Wright, attorneys at Princeton, 
Mercer County, Missouri, where on September 14, 1878, he was admitted 
to the Mercer County Bar in the Circuit Court, presided over at the 
time by Judge G. D. Burgess, who later became Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Missouri. The firm of Hyde & Orton was composed of Ira B. 
Hyde and Hobart G. Orton. The last named is now deceased, but Mr. 
Hyde is still living, and is father of the present Governor of Missouri, 
Arthur M. Hyde. 

Mr. Woodruff was married on October 7, 1878, to Alice E. Lewis, a 
native of Bethany, Missouri, a daughter of Wm. G. Lewis, deceased, 
formerly an attorney of that place, who had at one time held the oflSce 
of probate judge of Harrison County. He commenced the practice of 
law in Mercer County in partnership with Millard F. Robinson, under 
the firm name of Woodruff & Robinson. This partnership was continued 
until November, 1879, when he removed to Bethany, Missouri, and there 
formed a law partnership with D. S. Alvord, then one of the prominent 
attorneys in that section of the state; the firm name was Alvord & 
Woodruff. 

On February 24, 1890 his wife, Alice E., died, and on July 12, 1893, 
he was married to Isola Lee Buckles, his present wife, who was then 
a teacher in the public schools in Bethany. She is a native of Illinois, 
and had fitted herself to teach by attending the State Normal School of 
Illinois, the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Shurtleff College 
at Upped Alton, Illinois. Prior to her marriage she had taught for a 
period of eight years. 

In 1890, the partnership of Alvord & Woodruff was dissolved by 
mutual consent, and in 1897 Mr. Woodruff formed a partnership for 
the practice of law with A. S. Gumming, who is now one of the leading 
practitioners in Harrison County. This partnership was dissolved in 
May, 1899. 

Mr. Woodruff, while a Republican of the old school, has never been 
a partisan, nor has he been given to office seeking or office holding, al- 
though he has held some minor offices. He was deputy assessor of Har- 
rison County in 1872, under the then assessor, Jos. Bi Dill, deputy 



850 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

sheriff in 1873, under Sheriff George S. Graham, and deputy collector 
under James C. Baker in 1874-75. In the spring of 1886, he was elected 
one of the councilmen of Bethany, Missouri, and held that office one 
term. He was also city attorney in Bethany for eaveral terms. In 
April, 1890, he was elected a member of the Bethany School Board, and 
re-elected from time to time until 1899, when he left the state on May 
31st of that year. While a member of the school board he did much 
to improve the Bethany schools by maldng a search all over the state 
to secure the very best teachers that could be had for the salaries his 
district was able to pay. This action greatly improved the corps of 
teachers and added much to the success and reputation of the Bethany 
schools. As a school director he attended some of the state meetings 
of school directors, which was inauguarated and carried out by John 
R. Kirk, then state Superintendent of schools, and wrote some papers 
which were read before these meetings. Some of these papers were pub- 
lished in the American School Board Journal of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 
also in the Missouri School Journal. 

While not a politician in the narrow sense of that term he has 
always been interested in public affairs, and has shown this by attend- 
ing elections, both primary and regular, and voting. He was a pro- 
hibitionist many years before prohibition became popular, and in 1866, 
in connection with J. H. Burrows, John Woodward, J. Q. Chambers 
and others, protested successfully to the County Court of Harrison 
County, against the granting of saloon license in Cainsville, where he 
then lived. He also took an active part in connection with D. J. Heaston, 
G. W. Wanamaker, D. S. Alvord and others in securing the adoption, 
by the people of Harrison County, of the first local option law passed 
by the Missouri Legislature. 

Mr. Woodruff's rating as a business man for promvness, integrity 
and fair-dealing has always been high. He has never taken pride in 
this rating, and in the further facts that he is almost entirely self- 
made; that he has by industry, energy and the careful handling of his 
resources placed himself in the well-to-do middle class. He has at 
all times enjoyed the confidence of his clients in respect to their financial 
affairs, and a large part of his business since his admission to the bar 
has been that of assisting clients in the matter of making investments. 

As a lawyer he possesses the faculty of eliminathig unnecessary 
elements, and of grasping salient, governing principles. He is a coun- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 851 

selor and office lawyer, not a trial lawyer. His briefs are made with 
much care and after painstaking examination and analysis of the author- 
ities, and they have always been given the careful consideration of 
the courts before whom he practices. His specialties in practice are 
real estate, probate and commercial law. He readily admits that he 
is not an all-round lawyer, such a lawyer as is able to try a murder case 
one week, and an ejectment suit the next, and handle each with equal 
skill. In his dealings with other attorneys he is trustworthy and de- 
pendable. His parole agreements are sacredly kept. He never resorts 
to underhanded measures or tricks to win cases, preferring honorable 
defeat to dubious victory. He has a detestation of over-reaching in the 
matter of fees, and it is his boast that he has done more work for 
less pay than any of his contemporary lawyers. 

Although he has never had a large appellate practice, he has been 
employed in some important cases in the Supreme Courts of Missouri 
and Colorado. One such case was Allen vs. White, 98 Missouri, 55; 10 
S. W. 881. This was a suit in which the validity of a statutory tax 
deed issued under the Missouri Revenue Law of 1872, was an issue. The 
deed was sustained by the Court, it being the first, or among the first 
cases, where a statutory tax deed was sustained by the Supreme Court 
of Missouri. Another case was Russie vs. Brazzell, reported in 128 Mo. 
92 ; 30 S. W. 526 ; 49 Am. St. Rep. 542. This case involved primarily the 
title to a house and lot in Eagleville, Missouri, used by the church as 
a parsonage, but finally it involved he title and disposition of all the 
property of the United Brethern Church in the State of Missouri. The 
case was a contest between factions in the church growing out of a 
change in the rules of the church; the faction favoring the change 
caled themselves "Liberals" and the faction opposed called themselves 
"Radicals". The Liberals won. In Callahan vs. Whitehead, 44 Colo- 
rado 396; 99 Pacific 57 ( he was employed by the plaintiff. This was an 
ejectment suit to recover possession of twenty-eight hundred acres of 
land held by the defendant under a tax deed. The Court held the tax 
deed void. He represented the defendant in the case of Turner vs. McKen- 
zie, 31 Colorado 274; 72 Pacific 1075. This suit involved the construc- 
tion of a contract for the sale of a mine in Cripple Creek. The decision 
of the Court was in favor of the defendant. 

He is an Odd Fellow, and pays his dues, but he lacks enthusiasm; 
as he expresses it, he is as lukewarm as the church at Laodicea. His 



852 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNI V 

membership is in Pikes Peak Lodge No. 38, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
He has never been a member of any church. In the clash and confusion 
of creed and dogma he has chosen to remain neutral. 



Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss. — For many years one of the most dis- 
tinguished citizens of Missouri as well as of the nation was the late Gen. 
Benjamin M. Prentiss, who for twenty years lived at Bethany, where his 
death occurred on February 8, 1901. General Prentiss was a soldier of 
two wars, rose to the rank of major-general U. S. Volunteers during the 
Civil War and was the hero of the great battle of Shiloh. In his political 
career he was an associate of Lincoln and other distinguished leaders of 
Illinois, and in the later years of his life was one of the most admired 
orators and leaders in the Republican party of Missouri. 

Benjamin M. Prentiss was born at Belleville, Virginia, November 23, 
1819. He was a direct descendant from Valentine Prentiss who came to 
America from England in 1620. Another direct ancestor was the noted 
Elder Brewster of the Mayflower colony. 

General Prentiss spent his early childhood in Virginia and from there 
his parents moved to Quincy, Illinois. His education came from the 
countiy schools of Virginia and afterwards from a private military school. 
Migrating west in 1836, he located in Marion County, Missouri, and 
engaged in the manufacture of cordage. In the spring of 1841 he went 
to Quincy and established himself in the same business with his father. 
During the Mormon excitement at Nauvoo, Illinois, he was in the service 
of the state and at the opening of the Mexican War he was appointed 
adjutant of the First Illinois Infantry. With this regiment he served 
through the entire war, first as first lieutenant and aftenvards as captain 
of Company I, which he commanded under General Taylor at the battle 
of Buena Vista. 

After his return to Quincy and also after the war. General Prentiss 
was engaged in business as a commission merchant and also as a manu- 
facturer of cordage. With the outbreak of hostilities between the North 
and South he was one of the first to respond with the offer of his services. 
At the first c^ll for troops he sent a telegram to the governor of Illinois, 
tendering two companies and has the distinction of having been the first 
officer commissioned by the state. Beginning as a captain he was pro- 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 853 

moted to major, from that to colonel, and then to the rank of brigadier- 
general before reaching the actual scene of hostilities. General Prentiss 
was placed in command at Cairo at the beginning of the war and estab- 
lished a blockade of the Mississippi River. While there he was waited 
upon by a delegation of Kentuckians, who protested against the landing 
of troops on Kentucky soil. This delegation reminded him that Kentucky 
was a sovereign state, the peer of Illinois, but to this General Prentiss 
replied that when the President called for troops to defend the Union, 
Illinois promptly furnished her quota, while Kentucky had failed to re- 
spond and consequently her wishes were not entitled to the same con- 
sideration. 

After leaving Cairo, General Prentiss was ordered by General Fre- 
mont to Jefferson City, Missouri, to take command of all North and Cen- 
tral Missouri. He fought at Mount Zion and a number of other minor 
engagements in the state. Subsequently being ordered to the field by 
General Halleck, he proceeded to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, where 
he arrived April 1st and organized and took command of the Sixth Divi- 
sion, Army of the Tennessee. It was there that his reputation as a 
military leader was secured beyond all peradventui'e. The historians of 
that great battle have all united in giving General Prentiss' command 
credit for maintaining the integrity of the Union position during the first 
day, and thus insuring what amounted to a virtual victory for the Union 
arms. It will be recalled that the other Federal generals in council 
doubted that the Confederates were massed in force at Shiloh, and at 
his own request General Prentiss was permitted to send a small force 
forward to ascertain whether the enemy was not there in force. Five 
companies from General Prentiss' division were selected for that task 
and these troops while reconnoitering received the first onslaughts of 
the enemy, arrested their charge and thus gave the Union army time to 
form the line of battle. The Confederates attacked in such force and 
with such energy that General Sherman's corps and all the other com- 
mands were compelled to give ground and General Prentiss himself had to 
retire to a better position. At his command his troops finally took posi- 
tion in the old Sunken Road and there their resistance was so deadly that 
the Confederates called the place the "Hornet's Nest", and there the most 
sanguinary struggle of the day was centered. It was while General Pren- 
tiss was holding this line that General Grant came up and requested him 



854 HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 

to hold the road until sundown at all hazards. General Prentiss gave his 
promise and he afterwards stated that again and again he looked for the 
setting sun and was almost convinced from the slowness with which that 
luminary moved toward the western horizon, that it had surely caught 
upon a snag. No reinforcements were sent to his hard pressed troops 
and at 5:30 in the evening General Prentiss and his 2,200 soldiers were 
captured. For the following seven months he endured the rigors of 
Confederate prisons. 

After being exchanged, General Prentiss was commissioned a major- 
genei-al of volunteers for his gallantry at the battle of Shiloh. He served 
on the court martial in the case of Gen. Fitz John Porter, and he was the 
last member of that court to pass away. At the close of this trial he 
was ordered to report to General Grant at Milliken's Bend, by whom he 
was assigned the command of the eastern district of Arkansas, with 
headquartess at Helena. Here on the 4th of July, 1863, he. commanded 
the Union forces in the battle of Helena, gaining a decided victory over 
the enemy, whose forces were equal to four times his number. 

During his residence at Quincy, General Prentiss was appointed 
United States pension agent by General Grant, and filled the office eight 
years. In 1878 he moved to Missouri, spent a short time in Sullivan 
County and then engaged in the practice of law at Kirksville. After 
moving to Bethany in 1881 he continued the practice of law, and in 1888, 
after the election of President Harrison, was appointed postmaster and 
received the same honor from President McKinley. In 1880 General 
Prentiss served as a delegate-at-large to the Republican national conven- 
tion which nominated General Garfield and was a delegate to the national 
convention of 1884 which placed Blaine and Logan in the field as the 
national Republican candidates and seconded the nomination of John A. 
Logan for president. He frequently attended the Missouri conventions 
of his party and was one of the most influential and popular leaders in 
the state. 

The first wife of General Prentiss was Margaret Sowdosky. Their 
children were: Harrison Tyler; Guy Champlain, who marched with Sher- 
man to the sea and died in Quincy ; Jacob Henry, who spent his last years 
in Bethany, where his family survive him; Ella, who married Doctor 
Blackburn and still lives in Bethany; Benjamin M., Jr., of Colorado; Clay, 
of Bethany. The oldest of these children, Harrison Tyler, known better 
as "Tip", was a drummer boy at Shiloh under General Sherman. 



HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY 855 

General Prentiss' second wife was IMary Worthington Whitney, a 
daughter of Joseph Ingram Whitney, who came from Maine. Mrs. Pren- 
tiss was born in Pennsylvania, December 16, 1836, and died in Bethany 
July 28, 1894. Her children were: Joseph W., of Bethany ; Arthur Ogles- 
by, who died in California; Edgar Worthington; and Mrs. Mary Cover, of 
Harrison County. 



